The Adventures of Martini Mike!

My Photographic Portfolio

2011-07-22T16:32:00.002-06:00

The Best?, a set on Flickr.

You wonder why I haven't blogged much recently? Well, writing magazine articles and books ... and PHOTOGRAPHY!

Just 140 views away from the half MILLION mark on my Portfolio! Please share with a friend. :) Thanks. Oh the suspense... And thanks to some fantastic mentors, models, hair and MUAs!
Enjoy and thank you for your continued support.

Featured Recipe: Cucumber & Jalapeño Margarita

2011-03-28T16:20:00.000-06:00

Featured Recipe: Cucumber & Jalapeño Margarita According to Burn! Magazine Spirits Editor Michael P. “Martini Mike” D’Arco, “Creative mixologists all over the country are designing new cocktails that will warm you from the inside out with sugar and spice and everything nice. Some of mixology’s masters will amaze you as we take a little tour through the spiciest part of the United States—the great Southwest.” READ MORE on the Burn! Magazine blog. #CasaVieja #THEMartiniMike

SAVE THE FILM INDUSTRY IN NEW MEXICO!

2011-01-21T14:46:00.004-07:00

From Oneheadlightink.com, "State Address Pits Film Against Classroom"

Read the article- it's good! As you may also believe, Governor Martinez doesn't know what she's talking about (in my opinion) and should have an independent audit done (again!). Stop chasing away the money from New Mexico!

I encourage you to call 505-986-4550 to tell the NM Legislative Finance Committee to KEEP NM FILM! Or we will all pay the price!
OR
write emails to anyone involved! Starting with lfc@nmlegis.gov .

Here's mine, but I have provided a form letter for your use at the bottom of this blog.

The email I sent to the Vice-Chair of the NM Legislative Finance Committee:

"Dear Sir:
I come to you today to plead for your continuing support of film in New Mexico. Our state will begin a downward spiral in our relationship with the film industry if incentives are reduced.
As you must be aware, we are one of the poorest states in this country. We are only a step above Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Mississippi according to the U.S. Census Bureau!
This program has brought hundreds of millions of dollars, over a billion by some estimates, to our state. Thousands of high paying jobs have been created. I personally know many students and unemployed people who work as extras even in film and television here. There are myths and arguments and then there is the reality that almost every life around me will be affected by the mass exodus of the film industry from our state. It has already begun based on rumors. We have lost several 2011 major productions the minute the new governor began to speak.
I personally was raised here, and once upon a time moved to Los Angeles for the entertainment industry. I came back and I have stayed here as I watched this beautiful flower bloom in the desert. Please don't let it die.
Do the right thing and encourage those around you to keep fighting for New Mexico. I thank you for your time. And on behalf of my thousands of fans I thank you for your help. Please feel free to distribute this email.

“Technically, New Mexico has a ‘refundable tax credit,’” -NM Film Office

"A steady activity of film and TV shoots is raising New Mexico’s profile in Hollywood as several films or TV series shot here racked up Oscar and Emmy awards." - Trip Jennings, The New Mexico Independent"

Oh, and here's the chair of the committee... who has no email.
Representative Luciano "Lucky" Varela - (D)
http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=HVARE

That's why I moved down the ladder to the Vice-Chair.
Senator John Arthur Smith - (D)
john.smith@nmlegis.gov

http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legdetails.aspx?SPONCODE=SSMIT

And of course the Republican opponents:
http://www.ballotpedia.com/wiki/index.php/Dennis_Kintigh
http://www.ballotpedia.com/wiki/index.php/Janice_Arnold-Jones

FORM LETTER FOR YOUR USE (tweak as you see fit):

Dear Sir/Madam:

I come to you today to plead for your support of film in New Mexico.
Our state will begin a downward spiral in our relationship with the film industry if incentives are reduced.
As you must be aware, we are one of the poorest states in this country. We are only a step above Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Mississippi according to the U.S. Census Bureau!
This program has brought hundreds of millions of dollars, over a billion by some estimates, to our state. Thousands of high paying jobs have been created. I personally know many students and unemployed people who work as extras even in film and television here.
There are myths and arguments and then there is the reality that many lives around me will be affected by the mass exodus of the film industry from our state. We have already lost several 2011 major productions as the new governor began to speak of reductions to the incentives. Please do the right thing and encourage those around you to keep fighting for New Mexico. I thank you for your time.

“Technically, New Mexico has a ‘refundable tax credit,’” -NM Film Office

"A steady activity of film and TV shoots is raising New Mexico’s profile in Hollywood as several films or TV series shot here racked up Oscar and Emmy awards." - The New Mexico Independent

Well my part in this is simple... helping my friends and neighbors! And as a returning actor this will also affect me in the near future. Being a voice in mass media it is my responsibility to bring attention to this important issue. If you think it doesn't affect you... you're wrong! Think about all the aspects of a production from food to property rental to lodging for instance. Oh yes... hundreds of millions of dollars freely flowing into our poor state for the last few years until now.

Watch this video of people just like you. I AM NM FILM

Write! Call! Step up to the plate and swing!

POLL! ATTENTION anyone who has ever drank in Phoenix!

2010-12-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

November Issue of Albuquerque the Magazine

2010-10-27T12:02:00.001-06:00

Pick up a copy of Albuquerque the Magazine today. (November issue)
I wrote all the wine and spirits pieces; "Off the Vine", "Spirits 101", Thanksgiving wine picks, etc.
Thanks to all my wine experts! Shout outs in print. :)
It turns out I knew more about wine than I gave myself credit for.
I hope you enjoy the piece and the places/favorites I mentioned.

And here's one I would have mentioned if St. Clair wasn't discontinuing it!
A fine fine port that I naturally snatched up a bottle of for myself.
D.H. LesCombes...

(© Michael P. D'Arco)
Thank you for your continued support.
Salud!

"Don't Miss the Train!" - VIP ART SALE

2010-10-20T12:34:00.001-06:00

OH- HEY... remember that great picture I took of you?

Your establishment? Your product?

Wouldn't that look great blown up BIG and hanging on the wall?
Buy some photography for your home or a friend!

Almost anything, any size, framed, mounted, or other.
All prices negotiable!
Signed, numbered, catalogued too!!

Search to your heart's desire at http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinimike/
Email me at MartiniWorld@hotmail.com
Trying to finance my December 2nd show that is not advertised yet.
Thank you for your continued support.

WHATZIN?!?!: La Dolce vita

2010-10-11T17:33:00.003-06:00

What's in my fridge??

WHATZIN?!?!: La Dolce vita: "Michael P. 'Martini Mike' D'Arco - International Martini Assassin/Writer/Photographer/Nightlife Guru/Promoter - All points west of the Miss..."

The Rise of Fall

2010-10-10T17:15:00.001-06:00

Hmmm... sounds dirty. Well, fall is "upon us" didn't sound as catchy. Wait, that still sounds dirty though! OK, anyway... lol.
Just a quick catch up with the non social network addicted.
So much has happened lately and is about to happen in Martini World!
Single life, and love, is brutal. Art is kind. But either way you suffer for it. Well I have been very busy with the art anyway. And like a mother F-ing Phoenix, I will rise from the ashes of heartbreak and gloom! Ladies and gentlemen it is my pleasure to present to you the new and improved Martini Mike.

In a move to expand my photographic portfolio and presence I have taken to a model search and subsequent studio sessions. So check out some of the goods of late. As we are in my favorite season (must be the season of the witch) I am working the ghosts out with such sets as "Samhain", and "Muerte 2010" both featuring Galina Dubceac and the latter also featuring yours truly. I am also developing such sets as "JAZZ BABY!", an ode to a personal friend and inspiration- the late (legendary photographer) Bill Claxton. Just want to view my personal favorites from the entire portfolio? Flickriver baby. And for the FBI here is my latest self portrait entitled "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil Self Portrait II". That's from this week and yes I lost a lot of weight.

You may recently have seen some photography locally in the August issue of Albuquerque the Magazine ("Butte Monster Feet"), and also "Feet in the Grass in a Bar" in the “Alibi” V.19 No.38, Sept 23-29, 2010. Was that my "foot period" ? Coming up... 20 piece solo show of LARGE pieces.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the November issue of Albuquerque the Magazine in a few weeks. I wrote the wine and spirits sections... "From the Vine", "Spirits 101", Thanksgiving wine picks, etc. Thanks to all my experts;NM Wine Growers Association, Jubilation, National Distribution's Mara Perrigo, and Swirl's Lori Anne McBride.

Still plugging away at my major publication debut. Have a certain cigar bar's article/photos in the can and moving on to yet another submission. Also have a chapter from one of my novels (in progress) ready for Esquire if my stalking them would just get a response! Was it Mrs. New Mexico who said she could get me in the door at Playboy? Remember all you magazines... I'm a double threat;Writer and Photographer. Let the games begin!

And well, events? Planning a Day of the Dead event for Monday, November 1st. Keep your eyes and ears to the ground. Also may be partnering with another promoter for a weekly floating club and some other ideas we discussed. (Call me)

MUSIC. What am I thinking? I tend not to dwell in the past, so this can only mean I'm considering some singing again. Maybe just studio? Who knows. But there is now a music page that should age/date me pretty well! http://www.reverbnation.com/michaelpmartinimikedarco Grab a strong drink and some headphones.

If you're not already... become an "official" fan over at Facebook.

In the words of Mark Twain, ‎"The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time."

Happy 10/10/10 to all of you.

Thirstday

2010-09-09T22:52:00.003-06:00

Oh my... Thursday is not so bad!
I did not make it to the burning of Zozobra in Santa Fe.
I was home alone and already dressed.
So out the door I went.
And well, in the immortal words of George Thorogood... I drink alone.
OK, well not exactly. Matter of fact I rarely drink alone!
Strange days have found us. Oh crap, there's another song lyric (The Doors).
Since everyone seems to know me wherever I go in this small town of 800,000 people it is impossible to be melancholy or alone in your dark corner of a cafe or bar. But hey, I'm a writer and photographer. So, I feed on this manna whether I intended to or not. I just want to say hello and thank you to all the interesting characters I have run across lately.
You are some truly inspiring and colorful people.
It is a pleasure to know or have known you.
Have a great weekend!

Random poetry

2010-09-06T18:46:00.003-06:00

Well here's a treat for you... ?
I rarely post poetry outside of a paper publication.
Why? Magazines are usually funny about anything being previously published even on the internet.
Well do I look like somene that always follows the rules?
And seeing as I am diving into my ~~heart~~ ART (wow, was that a Freudian slip or what?!)to keep from going mad without a muse... here I am and here it is.
So without further ado...
Some random poems from one of my unpublished books entitled "Goodbye Glitter Dome- Reflections from the City of Lost Angels" (1988-1992).

Untitled

"A toast!", I said
Everything's a poem you see...
"To jamming, and toasts!"
We chuckled
And drank
And jammed
And toasted some more
And wrote
And vanished...

-Michael P. D'Arco

Untitled

Her lonely, drenched eyes
Silently standing
Unfocused
In the face of the bar's edge
A familiar relief
Fell with her hair
And the exceeding repose
Of the final call
Echoed
Dominant
In our ears.

-Michael P. D'Arco

2 Cats

Four in the morning
Wild, black cats
Under my window
Screaming and whining

2 fat cats
Fighting again
Saturday night
Running in circles

Glowing, under a spell
of the October moon
Illuminating madness
They are my old friends

Hissing from my window
I interrupt
Spying through the curtains
Between my own clawing

-Michael P. D'Arco

Untitled

I wonder if
Someday
One stranger
Will say to another stranger
"That's very D'Arco-esque"
Or-
"That's very D'Arco-istic"
"D'Arco-ish"

Looking
Perplexed
At scribblings
On a ratty scrap of paper
Or-
At a photograph
Bent and torn...

-Michael P. D'Arco

@THEMartiniMike

2010-08-13T09:49:00.001-06:00

I am officially a twit. I will taste the tweet, twitter, twitting. As far as I can tell it is worse than Facebook but simply text? So anytime I have a thought that I feel needs to be shared with the world I can just text it to my Twitter and Voila! Right? I feel very old and uncool suddenly. And these can even post to your Facebook and MySpace?! Wait, what's MySpace? Kidding. I still log in there once in a while to make fun of the people even less cool than me. Will I go Twit crazy like Ashton Kutcher? Only time will tell. But if I am too busy to write a blog with any regularity anymore... will I be too busy to twit? And there is no literary art to a text! Or a "twit" I mean. Oh the technology! Why? Well... see you at @THEMartiniMike!

Hot, Hot, Hotter than Hell

2010-08-10T14:58:00.002-06:00

It's not moving! Where am I? Phoenix? Vegas? NO... Albuquerque!

View my 'favorite' photos on Flickriver

2010-08-04T15:31:00.000-06:00

Council has recommended that your blog receive IBRC’s designation of “Recognized Blog”

2010-08-04T14:37:00.000-06:00

Really?? Hmmm... because that was more a marketing tool than an actual blog that time!
"During the month of July, the International Blogging Recognition Council (IBRC) had the pleasure of reviewing your blog The Adventures of Martini Mike!. Your blog was referred to IBRC through our Refer-A-Blog program. "Martini Mike's Midsummer Magic (Party) - A BENEFIT" was the topic that the Council reviewed. Based on the review, the Council has recommended that your blog receive IBRC’s designation of “Recognized Blog”. IBRC reserves this honor to those blogs that effectively connects with the audience and promotes the sharing of ideas and experiences.
We invite you to visit our website at www.ibrcblog.org to learn more about IBRC and our “Recognized Blog” award. Congratulation on your accomplishment.

Sarah L. Tolten
Review Committee Chair
International Blogging Recognition Council"

The Night Begins - Sunset Strip

2010-07-30T22:25:00.002-06:00

And the night begins! Sunset strip... Hollywood, CA. Just like back in the day.
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Martini Mike's Midsummer Magic (Party) - A BENEFIT

2010-07-15T14:45:00.001-06:00

Come out and support my friends and their charities this Friday 7/16 from 5-10 PM!

Polina (All Faith's Receiving Home), Ashley (Paws and Stripes), and Chuck... who probably doesn't look as good in a skirt (IFC). LOL

NO Tickets
NO Cover
DONATIONS WELCOME

*Merchandise available

I will be rocking out as DJ 5-7!
Live Jazz 7:30-10:00
DJ Rhino at 10 PM

Ketel One Martinis $5!

imbibe
3101 Central Ave.
Albuquerque, NM USA
87106

at Richmond and Central
just a short walk from UNM in the Historic Nob Hill District

See you there!

***********************************************************************

Really??

"During the month of July, the International Blogging Recognition Council (IBRC) had the pleasure of reviewing your blog The Adventures of Martini Mike!. Your blog was referred to IBRC through our Refer-A-Blog program. "Martini Mike's Midsummer Magic (Party) - A BENEFIT" was the topic that the Council reviewed. Based on the review, the Council has recommended that your blog receive IBRC’s designation of “Recognized Blog”. IBRC reserves this honor to those blogs that effectively connects with the audience and promotes the sharing of ideas and experiences.

We invite you to visit our website at www.ibrcblog.org to learn more about IBRC and our “Recognized Blog” award. Congratulation on your accomplishment.

Sarah L. Tolten

Review Committee Chair

International Blogging Recognition Council"

Martini Mike's Hangover Report- Downtown Santa Fe Edition

2010-06-17T15:47:00.000-06:00

Buh BAM! Read all about it! Thanks to Julia Goldberg at the Santa Fe Reporter!

http://www.sfreporter.com/santafe/blog-58-martini-mikerss-hangover-report.html

IMG00076-20100529-2234.jpg

2010-05-29T22:35:00.001-06:00

Milagro

IMG00075-20100529-2119.jpg

2010-05-29T21:20:00.001-06:00

And the sun has set...

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2010-05-29T01:13:00.001-06:00

Tin star saloon

IMG00073-20100528-2146.jpg

2010-05-28T21:46:00.001-06:00

Corazon pt II

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2010-05-28T21:45:00.001-06:00

Corazon... Santa Fe

Alibi Photo Contest - Please Vote

2010-03-14T14:40:00.002-06:00

Here is the most crossed out, re-edited, pictures missing blog I have ever left up. Wait, it's the only one! You figure out the updates.

~~Please VOTE "thumbs up" for all 3 of my pics on~~ ~~http://shutterbug.alibi.com/~~ .

I really hate contests and awards.
But what the hell.
Since I've shot the cover twice and they still let me enter I thought I would do it.
I've never entered before and there are some really good shots from others.

These are not necessarily my picks. But my friends seem to like them for this particular competition.
The rules of this contest are quite vague. I personally chose to use pictures shot in Albuquerque as it is a local magazine.
~~So gimme a hand and show some love.~~
Well it turns out that the winners are selected by the Alibi staff!
The voting by the public is "just for fun".
So this shameless self promotion blog is pointless.
But anyway...

Drumroll please...
My 3 entries in the Alibi 7th Annual Photo Contest;

Twinkle Light Parade Choppers, Up from Downtown, Pledge of the Nitro Piper.

Category: ¡Que Albuquerque!—Anything that profiles or captures the spirit of Burque.

Category: This Modern Life—Architecture, street scenes, the weird and wonderful world of the manmade.

Category: People Are People—Human-focused photos.

~~These are THREE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES! So please vote with the "thumbs up" on all 3.~~

I suspect some hater has purposely clicked the thumbs down on all of them today.
Because it appears to give you 1 point rather than 2 when you do that. ~~So even if they really don't like them they helped me by clicking thumbs down anyway.~~ ~~But stuff like that just reminds me why I don't enjoy contests by vote rather than judging.~~ There's one douche bag in every crowd.
~~Please VOTE for my pics on~~ ~~http://shutterbug.alibi.com/~~ ~~now.~~ Thanks!

-Martini Mike

Martini Mike's St. Patrick's Day Extravaganza!

2010-03-03T16:33:00.003-07:00

OK, so anyone who knows me knows I love St. Patty's Day. Because my middle name is Patrick? Maybe. Because I'm Irish? No. Because I'm not even a little Irish! Although they say everyone's Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Well grab your shillelagh and come oooon down. There may be some pinching going on. But not because you forgot to wear green!

With the death of the annual St. Pat's Day Parade here... so goes my annual post parade private party. Much like my Xmas party... we are bumping up to a bar so there's more room and I don't have to shake the drinks! This may be the hottest event I have promoted yet. I have acquired sponsorship from Jameson Irish Whiskey and Guinness. Needless to say there will be great drink specials! There, I said it anyway. Killian's, Guinness, Jameson at the very least will be on special. Now I can't promise a "special" but I am sending some big goons over to speak with a fella named Wes about ordering some Harp and/or Smithwick's from the Guinness rep too (same company). Ahem. OK, I was just going to ask him politely to be honest. I just laughed out loud but refuse to say "lol" in a blog. Damn.

FREE entertainment! Everybody likes something FREE right? And everybody wants to see some bagpipes or something on St. Patty's right? I have the hottest pipers in town in my pocket. Stop. Don't touch that. I need that roll of quarters for laundry. Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums will be making appearances throughout the afternoon and evening. This is the only place you will likely see them in Nob Hill other than an unnamed venue way at the east end because it was a package deal with their uptown location.

The finest Irish Balladeer west of the Mississippi, Gerry Muisener, will be playing at 5:30. Garage Rock Gods "Sleestaks" will be playing a raucous set of drinking songs at 8 PM. They will be followed by other local favorites of a slightly different flavor... Vertigo Venus (Sponsored by Guinness) at 9. In between all this madness and revelry I will be your DJ. You will be subjected to your favorite Irish and/or Rock tunes from the 80's to the present. That's right, you heard me. No "House", "Techno", or other late night DJ type stuff until 10 PM. At 10 PM we will usher in the late night with DJ Flo-Fader. Some time between 9 and 11 the "Jameson Girls" will be around with shwag and booze. Guinness will also be around some time handing out the shwag and such.

(Me & Sally Supermodel are big fans)

Non musical guests will include The Irish Freedom Committee. Support the families of Irish Republican Political Prisoners! Hmmm... and anyone else cheated out of a parade this year may very well be here! Give us your tired, your green, your thirsty! No marching required.

"Where is this magical event?" you might be asking yourself. A place called imbibe is the epicenter for this extravaganza. Conveniently located in the historic Nob Hill district. On Route 66/Central Ave. just a stone's throw from UNM. There's smoking allowed, legally. And there is a fine ventilation system for you people who are whining right now. Maybe, hopefully, it will be nice enough to have their garage doors open too. And let's not forget their beautiful rooftop patio. Do some people watching from the railing! Make fun of the guy I wouldn't let in.

Can you handle a good time? Forget the pub with no view. Forget the other worn out old pipers. This is the place to be! More details to come as they unfold... or maybe I'll just surprise you! Take the afternoon off and come enjoy the Irish spring. Follow the sounds of laughter and the scent of a shot of whiskey.

Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums 3:00ish/4:30ish/7:30ish/??

Irish Balladeer-Gerry Muisener 5:30-6:00

Sleestaks (the rock band) 8:00

Vertigo Venus 9:00
(Sponsored by Guinness)

Jameson Girls 9-11

DJ Flo-Fader from 10 PM on

Drink Specials

Shwag of course! (FREE Stuff)

And MORE!

RSVP at MySpace

Duke City Fix

Martini World! Facebook Group

ALL PHOTOS © Michael P. D'Arco

Martini Mike's Hangover Report (NEW AND IMPROVED!)

2010-02-20T12:02:00.019-07:00

Hello, Ciao, Hola, γειά σου, hailō, ਹੈਲੋ, здравствулте!, 你好 my friends! And Cheers! And as they say in Nawlens, "Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!" And let the good times roll we will my friends. That was one super night in old Burque, no? And the weekend’s not over yet! Abraham Juarez, of Seasons, suggests I see the same 50 people when I am out on the town because the population of Albuquerque is only slightly higher than that. Well, an actual metropolitan population of approximately 850,000 people is not too shabby. So, I think that the other 50 of you are just hipsters. Nice to see all of you again. Next time you go out on the town- drag a friend along! And thanks for your continued support.

Last night was no drag. Have you been to Andaluz yet? This beautiful historic hotel originally opened in 1939 as the first NM hotel constructed by native Conrad Hilton. I have made several trips to it’s new incarnation and… you had me at “hello”. Andaluz is warm and inviting. Andaluz oozes sophistication. I am going to ramble about the lounge. But, as I drool over the dinner menu for their restaurant “Lucia” you can be sure I’ll be rambling about that soon enough!

The atmosphere of this non traditional lounge is just fantastic. Yes, there is an actual bar hiding in the corner but it is very tiny. Where the real action is- is the lobby! There are what appear to VIP tables lining one side of the lobby. Well, coves, niches, dens that contain couches, chairs, tables, art, etc. to be more precise. Each has a different flavor to it as well. These are for your cocktail imbibing pleasure, with a reservation please. Is bottle service required? I am not sure. Call 505-923-9080 for information. The middle of the courtyard is ample with additional seating and a fountain. And the staff is world class! So perfectly groomed, attractive, polite, friendly that I picture the manager as Fantasy Island’s Mr. Roarke… “Smiles everyone, smiles! We have guests arriving.” I do not have one complaint about Andaluz. My martini is always perfect and I always have a seat. And be sure to try such “tantalizing” Tapas as the Mussels or Steak Sliders. There is also great live music from 9-12 on at least Friday and Saturday. For a casual, relaxing evening you should definitely check it out. Our night began with a Martini and Steak Sliders served by Anita. Hello to Tamra also.

And out onto the glorious streets of downtown Albuquerque we are poured. The weather had taken quite a turn for the better this night. The temperature did not even warrant a winter coat at this point. We wandered over to Central Avenue to see if the rumors of Maloney’s being closed were true. Alas, they were not. But evidently Sauce and Proof really did close in January. I want to get to old town now and check out something new. Aaahhh, the cycle of (bars) life.

“CASA ESENCIA,ABQ's brand new premium ultra-lounge Featuring: 2 DJ's spinning simultaneously all night THE MA$H-UP KING DJ DEVIN HOUSE MUSIC & TOP 40 ALL NIGHT LONG,LAST WEEKS' GRAND OPENING HIT CAPACITY BEFORE 10,SO GET THERE EARLY ABQ this is your high-end ultra lounge you have been waiting for…” as DJ Devin’s Facebook flutter said. You may also be familiar with my friend LD and his massive attack of event invitations. Thanks for the invites fellas. It was everything you claimed it would be. And the music was just right.

Casa Esencia is a separate building, “Hacienda” to be exact, next to and owned by Hotel Albuquerque. According to their website “Casa Esencia is reinventing Albuquerque events with unparalleled service in a glamorous hacienda setting.” Built in 1840 by the Armijo family this is a sprawling “8,000 square feet of elegant rooms with space to host 298 adults”. Velvet ropes and clipboards people. The good, the bad, and the beautiful. Let’s just take a quick tour here? Welcome… reflecting pool, coat check, 3 bars, 2 DJs, grand piano, kiva fireplaces, luxurious furnishings, room after room, rear patio complete with roaring fire. Ciao. My uncle Paul sure knows how to start a fire! He is a fixture of Hotel Albuquerque for many years. (Here goes my version of the “shout out”!) This was liking going to a great party at a friend’s home. Or my home. OK, I currently only have 2 bars but have been thinking about a Tiki bar for the back patio this spring! So everywhere we turned there was someone we knew. Stacy Sacco, Sheldon from Sauce, Johnny Ming, Sarah the bartender, Webb from Lotus, and on and on. And that reminds me… if I think you look familiar or visa-versa it may very well be we are cyber friends and have never met in person. So say hi because I’m not sure that’s you from that teeny tiny photoshopped picture you posted drunk!

I loved the whole atmosphere; fireplaces, lighting fixtures, that reflecting pool and the different feel of each room. The staff were all friendly and helpful. Please take a long hard look at your liquor selection. Macallan is the only scotch? Seriously? A high end lounge like this needs a good scotch selection. But if you’re going to only have one scotch on hand make it Talisker. Oh and the Vodka selection is missing the finest Vodka in all the land- Tito’s. Was their any signature drinks or a drink menu? I never saw or heard of these things. But… you know what? I’ll be back. I loved it. Ssssshhhh. Don’t tell anyone because I don’t want it to get so popular that I can’t squeeze my way through! P.S. It’s only open on Friday night. The rest of the time it is available for special events.

11:00 or so we are ready to move on. Where to? Home? Naaaah. Seasons! We scurry to the upstairs to find Abraham Juarez, formerly of Zinc, tending bar. This folks is a real bartender who absorbs and dispenses knowledge of beer, wine, and cocktails like a true master. I will be first in line if he ever opens his own establishment. My friend has a scotch from their extensive collection. I opt for Amaretto DiSarrano on the rocks. We sample Sierra Nevada “Hopstar” India Pale Ale from the Roessler brothers trip to Beer Camp and it is delicious! Last call. The witching hour approaches. Where’s the # for that cab driver?

Next stop. Nob Hill. I haven’t been to imbibe lately. Let’s do this thing. Greetings one and all. I am constantly approached about the St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza I may be promoting here that I have not begun to advertise yet. The crowd is not too too thick just yet. The cigar smoke wafts by as we quickly order a pint of Stella. It is a beautiful night to visit the rooftop patio. More former Sauce/Proof employees such as Adrienne are having a good time. My good friend DJ Rhino and his lovely better half Vanessa are present. He is the usual Friday night DJ but had gone to see Henry Rollins spoken word earlier this night. It was nice to hang out away from the thump thump thump of the DJ booth for once. Nightcap. Manhattan with a cinnamon dusted cherry… mmm. Closing time already? I still have cash? Well, people did buy me drinks. Cool people anyway. Haha

And hear I hide, away from the piercing light of the sun. I wish someone would bring me some gourmet food. I reflect and ponder Saturday evening as the chores pile up. Thanks for a good time Nitro Nate, hope you enjoyed that guest room. Thanks to everybody who was not weird, did not glare, did not start juvenile drama, and just had a good time with us last night. And thanks to my friend Stacy Sacco for talking me into returning to including DukeCityFix.com in my blogosphere.
Visit his website and also buy some Anasazi Fields wine. Until next time- keep your friends close and your martini closer.

As Spring Approaches

2010-02-18T19:25:00.012-07:00

Happy Chinese New Year! Lunar New Year! Year of the Tiger! Rrrrrroar! Remember Tygers of Pan Tang? Never mind. They were grrreat! (Couldn't resist) Resolutions? Cut down on cheesy jokes. And funny cheese. Speaking of cheese... Where to, and where not to, get a Blue or Goat Cheese stuffed olive with your martini in Albuquerque, NM. Where?? Nob Hill Bar and Grill.Blue. Zinc/Savoy/Season. Goat. Where not to? Artichoke Cafe. From what I think I heard right next to us- it really put them out. It is also a gourmet restaurant right? Bartender having a bad day? Poor waiter was the messenger. I received one olive with the glossy version of "and don't ask again". Mid week. Half empty bar. See you in another however many years.

NHBG

I would like to thank Conceit Magazine for my layout in the February 2010 edition.
Vol.3, #35 features a poem by moi called "Badges".That gem is accompanied by a self portrait I shot at Denver's Brown Palace on Halloween. Get yours now!

Picture? From my "Muerte Me" series...

Poem? Here! Remember your favorite worn leather jacket with the stuff all over it in the 80's?

"Badges"

I wear my badges boldly
A sign to the world

A sign of life
A sign of love
A sign of the rising electricity
That will be my end

I flatly state that I’m taking care of business
And I’ll tear you down where you stand

I scream & Cry
That my heart is
Black
White
Broken
No gray

They know that I’ve traveled from the desert
My high mesas know
They hold my peace for ransom

And I shout that no wallflower wear this jacket!
Not without mysterious transformation

My stone walls have windows that hide in the blackness
Sing through them of yesterdays & tomorrows
Of the cold & the night
Of the symbols I bare

-Michael P. D’Arco

Conceit Magazine can be found on Facebook amongst other places.

I am planning a St. Patty's Day extravaganza at this time. Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums will be performing. Possibly a great Irish Balladeer by the name of Gerry Muisener. I am also counting on the Irish Freedom Committee to have a table and a non English beer. And the Irish American Society may not know it yet, because I've been busy, but. Details to come very very soon.

Check out some other artistic friends of mine at their new website MutantRoot.com.
And be sure to read Rudolfo Serna's latest story on their blog. You may have caught some excerpts on Facebook.
Who is the driver based on? Let's just say this writing began after driving through a place where I recounted doing a 360 one rainy night in my 1971 Triumph Spitfire Mk IV roadster back when I had long hair.

I have a short film in the works. All I will disclose at this time is it involves the end times, aliens, rock music, and dildos. What?! You heard me. I may require non union help. I may require mental help.

Well, as spring approaches I am feeling no allergy pain thanks to modern medicine. This Land of Manana, er I mean "Enchantment", tends to tease us between snow storms. My car said it was 60 at 5:00 today. I resisted the urge to don shorts on some sunny patio. And alas, here I sit in Cyber Land like a nerd. You can lead a jack ass to water...

And with that weather report I would like to say something. If ever you feel like my blogs are sounding like one of those Xeroxed Christmas letters from your friends that are scared of technology so you hear from them once a year, breathe, please. Please send me a letter on Xeroxed colored paper informing me of such. And don't forget to include all the illnesses you have been dealing with and family problems and all the friends you have visited. And if you do read these and you do enjoy them just let me know that by way of email or a comment on the internets machine. Thanks.

Well, until next time... Cheers!

Mid Winter Blues in A Minor

2010-02-06T11:43:00.010-07:00

A most pleasant of days winks at me. I rise from my slumber, a recently unmatched marathon of sleep lasting 12 largely uninterrupted hours. I stretch and crackle and feel the cool sheets engulf me in their possibly unnecessary ridiculously high thread count. The drapes hide a majority of sunlight, pecking to get in. I think back to a minor sleep altercation several hours ago involving an evidently well rested and agile cat. Full throttle across the room cat plunge onto my nuts is no way to start my day. The screams and promises of a quick death for kitty still echoing throughout the quiet home I returned to a dream state.

What was that final dream? I wish I could remember now. I want to say it was almost a nightmare but I was in control. Something with a car or a gun or instrument? I am most certain it was not magic, wizards, love, or cats! Well it was nice to dream and breathe and be at the perfect temperature for ½ a day.

I am out of coffee! I sit up on 3 pillows sipping away at green tea with local honey. I wish I had a bagel and lox. Maybe I should cook up some brown eggs. Bathe them in my green chile sauce, which would make that like my upteenth consecutive meal to include hot chile. Ah. Well, I think maybe this best be addressed much after I come to.

Farmville awaits. A farmer does not have the luxury of sleep. No FFA award for me today. There are roses and watermelons to harvest. There are barns to build and neighbors to visit. Maybe I will whack some gangsters after that on Mob Wars or Mafia Wars. I must start my day in a virtual land.

Cravings for Pete Townshend have snookied, snickered, into my eardrums. A hunger I can not explain has taken me over. It is a hunger for the sweet sweet music of a man whose music I have never purchased. I quickly downnload the standards right onto my laptop. “No one respects the flame quite like the fool who's badly burned. From all this you'd imagine that there must be something learned” .

I will be preparing a Native American winter stew today. Garbanzo beans, chunks of beef, hot red chile. This is my contribution to a party we will attend this evening. A "Ceiligh" to be exact. It is delicious and warming to the soul. Our souls are so cold we may need more. My famous Martini Kit might be in order.

The Martini Kit. An aluminum case purchased at Wal Mart oh so many years ago. I delicately sliced and glued the foam rubber innards to fit all the essentials of a martini party. Outside this case now dangle silent remnants of her travels. Ripped airport tags, decals, dents, stains, and a pair of handcuffs. This is Top Secret stuff here people. Lurking inside her protective shell are comical napkins, toothpicks, Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth, and an eyedropper. There is a jigger, a jar of olives waiting to have their navels plucked dry and replaced with a fine blue cheese. A standard bottle of chilled Vodka will fit into the chiseled place that will not hold a 1.75 Litre bottle of Tito’s Vodka.

The crock pot is my friend. I will prepare my goods and slink up outta here. I spy the glorious blue skied day from my television set via surveillance cameras about the perimeter of my property. The weather channel assures me that there is a steady warmth growing outside these walls. Winter is taking a break today and Spring wants her down for the count. I could put the top down. That may require a hat. I could wash the car. Snow flurries tonight and snow for the next two days. Allegedly. This is why I want to throw a slurpy at the weatherman every time I see him standing on the corner. Take that you boob.

I am ready to adventure. I am ready to write. I am ready to capture life through my lenses. My camera is charged. My tea is gone. My faded blue jeans hang from the exercise equipment, calling to me like an old friend. Wait, that’s weird- my friends aren’t hanging from my exercise equipment. Matter of fact most would stay far away from exercise equipment! Ha! And if they were in my bedroom when I awoke it would be even more weird. “Hey! What the fuck are you doing?”, “How’d you get in here?”. “Did I give you the alarm code?”, “What’s up bro?”. “Oh shit, are you serious?”, “Rudy. You do not want to eat MY brain… trust me”. I think forward to the day. “You better bet your life!” shouts Pete Townshend. “It’s a very good day to die” I like to say. And I exit stage left.

Martini World! Happy Hour-s

2009-12-09T12:05:00.005-07:00

CANCELLED!!!! THIS PROMOTION IS NO LONGER!!!

Sooo many projects, so little time.

Well here's one for you that we can both relax at now.

Ready to rock! I mean relax... then rock!

Iiiiit's LAUNCH DAY! All systems go!

We got Jalapeno stuffed olives, Blue Cheese stuffed olives, regular olives, cheese stuffed jalapeno olives. We got $3 Guiness or Blue Moon pints. We got music. We got girls. We got guys. We got snacks. Come ooooon down!

BEGINNING WEDNESDAY 12/09
Almost every W-TH-F from 5-10 PM
(no xmas eve/xmas/NYE/New Year's Day)

Come network with TV/Film Industry, Photographers, Models, Musicians... and all the rest of my friends! Oh wait, I forgot millionaires, philanthropists, and entrepeneurs!
Or just hang out.
You know you want to. You're bored. Stop being a hermit.

***********************
(Martini Mike and MartiniWorld.com Presents...)
Martini World! HAPPY HOURS!
"Because one is not enough"

Sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka!

At PROOF "Ultra Lounge"
(4th and Central)

Smoking available on the heated patio with schnazzy leather sectionals!
Cigars available right across the street at Central Market.Several nearby restaurant menus will be on hand & they will deliver!
PIZZA-SUSHI-DELI-ETCPremium martinis $5
Pints! Guiness or Blue Moon for $3
Come relax after work OR before your loco night begins!

I AM YOUR SPECIAL DJ 5-9! Let me entertain you.
DJ Chris DeJesus from Vegas at 9
(Wednesdays)
*********************

Waiting With the Devil: Health Care or Hell?

2009-12-03T12:34:00.003-07:00

Read my Swine Flu adventure in it's entirety. Out today at a newstand near you!
I also shot the cover. Thank you. Thank you very much.
And thank you to Una my hand model, Donnie the bag artist, Rudolfo & Isis for use of their kitchen counter, and Editor in Chief Laura Marrich for opening another door.

Alibi V.18 No.49 December 3 - 9, 2009

Adventure Photos

2009-11-08T10:45:00.004-07:00

For those of you who read this new blog spot... thanks!
A picture is worth 1,000 words they say. Well, here's a link to photos I have taken along my adventures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinimike/ You just may see yourself.
Oh- how a bout a taste?

10 Yr Anniversary of club Sauce at club PROOF

2009-11-06T20:07:00.002-07:00

Just kicking it off...

Private party for 10 Yr Anniversary of club Sauce at club PROOF (formerly RAW) next door. Albuquerque, NM USA

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Nob Hill Street Fair?

2009-11-06T11:38:00.001-07:00

Mad Hatter
Originally uploaded by Martini Mike

I never once heard this referred to as the old standard "Shop and Stroll". Even the signs from the city said "Street Fair". Well, we usually refer to it as "Drink and Stroll"! And... well, old habits are hard to break. So between the scarcely populated street and the under-abundance of food booths we made our way to our old buddy "Monte Vista Fire Station". Aaahhh... the warmth of the fireplace on their rooftop patio. Aaaahhh... the cold deliciousness of a Mad Hatter. "And you were there, and you, and you.. and even Auntie Em".

*See more fascinating pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinimike/ !

Halloween Road Trip

2009-11-05T14:09:00.003-07:00

A look at the face of eevil.
Moi.

Well, actually "Death"... "Warmed Over" was the official name of my Halloween costume.
Denver, CO USA.
Halloween Night.
Good friends and good spirits.

Vigil to St. Joseph

2009-10-22T10:54:00.003-06:00

This is a story I ran across while researching my family tree a few months ago. My mother's side of the tree led me to her aging aunts of Belen, NM. Nora, Dora, Gloria, and Ida had all the info I had dreamed of. Stories of the Flu pandemic turned out to be quite relevant to present day. Here is one of those stories.

During the great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 HA (Higinio) Mirabal, so the story was told to me, feared for the health of his wife. She had not come down with the flu, but she did have 5 children to take care of. Higinio was a hard working man, caring for his growing family each day as a farmer and laborer.

In their little casita alongside the railroad tracks he prayed to St. Joseph for her health. St. Joseph is the Patron Saint of The New World, but Catholics also believe he prays especially for families, fathers, immigrants, craftsmen, engineers, and working people in general... among other things. He promised St. Joseph that if his wife was spared the flu that he would hold an all night prayer vigil to this saint every year for the rest of his life. Well, his prayers were answered! His wife and children never did catch the flu. For the next 56 years he kept his promise to St. Joseph! This eventually became an event that the rest of the family came from far & wide to participate in each year.

St. Joseph has continued to be an important part of this family's lives to this day. The spirit of St. Joseph is said to roam the tracks through Belen, past Mirabal Street (Misspelled Mirabel!) saving the families and bringing them together forever.

OK, I made that last part up but it sounded good. And that house (along the tracks)used to belong to an Uncle Ruben. Before the mid fifites the family actually lived in Los Lunas & other nearby areas. HA picked cotton, and did many types of labor in his early years but in 1918 he was likely Post Master in Pinos Wells,NM. He later went on to be a jailer, politician, and play many other parts in the community.

So basically the story of St. Joseph and the promise and the vigil are true! Also, the part about the family coming together each year for this. The rest was me just having a little fun.

Did you just cough?

Death warmed over

2009-10-21T21:27:00.004-06:00

Well, I am still alive! This is great! I have just spent hours writing a roughly 4200 word article about my experience through this Swine Flu horror. Anyone know somebody at Esquire? I've finally found my halloween costume... "Death, warmed over!". Surgical mask and all.

It's the "system"...

2009-10-20T21:12:00.002-06:00

From about 9 hrs ago, before my phone died. I am STILL in the lobby waiting to be seen! Remember I could die any minute which is why they urged me to pay $500 (WITH insurance) to come by ambulance from my 4 hours at urgent care.

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To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

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Swine Flu Adventures!

2009-10-20T10:14:00.002-06:00

2nd day in urgent care with "unusually bad" case of swine flu! They are very concerned I could die from low oxygen. An overnight hospital stay is likely from here. In a final desperate attempt to avoid that they are giving me not two but THREE Nebulizer treatments in a row today. Well, if you don't see an update... I am dead. And well, I had a pretty good time up until now. See you soon.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

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The Ghosts of Hernandez

2009-10-17T12:20:00.010-06:00

Sure, everybody's a fan of Ansel Adams.
But, not being a big tree or landscape photographer myself, I neglected to discover the "other side" of Ansel Adams! My buddy Rudolfo told me of a famous photo taken of the Hernandez Barrio of Espanola, NM in 1941 as we drove to it's location. I had never seen or heard of this photo, "Moonrise over Hernandez", as Rudy called it. And I was unaware that Ansel Adams had shot churches or neighborhoods, or graveyards for that matter (graveyards of which I only discovered after the fact when finally viewing that picture online). Well now, that is right up my alley! Everybody knows I love to take pictures of Barrios and old churches and... I believe the point of the famous "Moonrise, Hernandez, NM 1941" is the beauty of the moon! Rising! OVER Hernandez! But as it was midday roughly and with limited knowledge fed to me in pieces I just snapped off a few random shots.

A few of the other obvious differences between what I shot and what an excited Ansel Adams shot I see are that well, I don't know if there even still is a graveyard in the rear. This of course immediately legitimizes the need for a return trip, perhaps with some photog friends? Also, there is no longer a cross on the church! Is it no longer the local church? I am guessing by the rising mesa of tumbleweeds that this may be the case. That and the missing cross! Although Rudy grew up within walking distance to the church and still has family in that neighborhood, he was unsure. A quick "google" revealed that the almost 160-year-old San Jose del Chama church has been rarely used since a replacement was built in 1972.

Once a quiet and peaceful neighborhood. There is now present layers of gang tags spraypainted up and down the road. There are no people to be seen. It is quiet at this time and we absorb the moment.

Apparently my shots are from the exact opposite angle, and very close up. I wish I had known the Adams was taken from the highway. I am extremely opposed to duplicating anyone's work on purpose or because two photographers just happen to be in the same place! But... it was and never could be the same photo obviously. So this is an homage not only to the beauty and history of the Espanola Valley, but also to Ansel Adams.So being an opposite I decided to name this series "Noonrise, Hernandez, NM, 2009, I".

I also did not know he took his shot during this same time of year as well. So that just made this little visit more special. There is nothing like fall in northern New Mexico. This was my reason for a warm Friday afternoon adventure. That and a return to my mother's land. A simple connection to my ancestry. It is no wonder why Don Juan de Oñate declared this the capital for (New) Spain upon arriving here in 1598.
My NM ancestors come from that time and place. Juan De Pedraza arrived with this group of explorers and eventually allegedly married a Native woman, name unknown, as with several leaves on my family tree. But if I recall the direct link, it's actually that he married (unknown Pérez de Bustillo) the sister of someone I am a direct descendant of in this case.

The leaves on the trees along the bosque are ripening perfectly at this time. There is a mysterious feeling in the air. The harvests are being peddled in all their glory, sprung from the rich mountain soil. It was a pleasant average of 72 degrees, with a crisp stillness in the air. With the top down on my roadster, and some 70's soul music echoing, these modern explorers left the ghosts of Hernandez for a beer and to recount our latest adventures. I will return again soon to once again taste the flavor of my mother's land.

-Michael P. D'Arco

See more pics at my Flickr page !

Marketing Photos with Mary Virginia Swanson

2009-08-03T12:09:00.001-06:00

MUST SUBSCRIBE « Marketing Photos with Mary Virginia Swanson

Shared via AddThis

IMG00023-20090728-1347.jpg

2009-07-28T13:56:00.001-06:00

First bday drink
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Local Boy makes Hasenfeffer!

2009-07-23T14:45:00.005-06:00

I got my first magazine cover! Woohoo! The Alibi, local weekly paper in Albuquerque, approached me for use of a photo in my portfolio. It is a pic of an anonymous (at his request) person in an Easter Bunny costume drinking a martini. Well, here... look for yourself!

Let me emphasize again that I am the photographer, not the bunny!
This shot was taken during a photo shoot while said bunny was in my employ performing in front of my (now defunct) Monday night club at imbibe called "Martini World!" at Central & Richmond the day after Easter.
It's on shelves now and it's FREE. Week of 07/23/09-07/30/09
Pick up a copy and do what you want with it.

Sour Rabbit Stew anyone?

Rate this pic/description! Please.‏‏

2009-07-21T16:19:00.004-06:00

Hey- with the state of the economy and all I wonder if I can afford a vacation next year!

So give me a hand & vote on my entry in this contest for a dream vacation!
Pretty please.

I am currently in the top 10.

Last year there were 30,000 entries!

There are just 10 days left.

Of course I think a panel of judges takes over & the ratings may be pointless.

Please visit this link & rate my entry.

Thanks!!

- Martini Mike

Greetings from Santa Ana casino!

2009-07-18T17:22:00.002-06:00

Greetings from Santa Ana casino!

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

We went in search of the Dia De Los Muertos Arte Expo. We left with pockets lined in cash. I am sure glad they had this expo at a casino! 4 jackpots in an hour people. God Bless America.

Gay Pride Parade

2009-06-13T20:42:00.004-06:00

Visit Martini World! Online Photo Store to purchase this pic!

I was honored to be asked to be a VIP at a Gay Pride Event.
"imbibe with Pride"
Thanks Lisa Van Dyke and Mike Sebree.
Had a great time!

Fabulous view of the parade from the rooftop patio.
See you all back there at Martini World! Monday.

Cocktail table book now available!

2009-06-06T10:47:00.003-06:00

JUST CLICK THE PIC!

What's hot/ what’s not!

2009-04-02T19:38:00.020-06:00

I already know what you're thinking... and yes. At the risk of shameless self promotion I just have to, of course, plug Martini World! Mondays at imbibe. But, I'll come back to that later.

I have just been so busy lately that I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll just stick with the recent past. It's a bit of a blur but I know I've had a good time. A real good time. Most of the time anyway. Some of you have been there with me too.Road trips up north, Art Galleries, Parades, Parties, Club events, Networking events, Sushi. I need a rest already! OK, so maybe I should just get to what's hot and what's not. I'm sure every magazine in town does this.. but I don't care!

Let's start with "not".

Not. The Cooperage. Unless of course you are looking for a $9 martini in the smallest glass available by law... during HAPPY HOUR! Oh, with a bunch of blue hairs anxious to get their "Nawlens" on.

Not. Two Fools Tavern. Still can't get a "shot"! You can get a "glass" of whiskey but don't shoot it or you're out on your ass.

Not. NM Rail Runner on a Friday night. If you hop on right after work (downtown Abq 5:21 pm) you will have just enough time for a drink or two in Santa Fe before catching the last train back at 9:30! Without reservations you will have a 2-3 hour wait in the popular restaurants... unless you're me.

Not. Albuquerque Cab. If you want to wait an hour on your way out or your way home go for it. I had the rudest driver for a "safe ride" & when I called to complain all they did was defend him. I had only had 2 drinks & food, so it wasn't me. I have swapped out my speed dial to Yellow Cab 505-247-8888.

Aaaaannnnd HOT! What's hot lately? More than the "not" luckily. So many hots, so little time.

HOT. Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums. Voted “Best Upcoming Scottish Musical Group” in Albuquerque the Magazine’s 2008 Best of the City issue. Featured in an online exclusive at Alibi.com, "Not just pipe dreams" a few weeks ago. Starring in my backyard for the "Post St. Patty's Day Parade Party" recently. I love you guys.

HOT. NM Rail Runner on a Saturday. Crowded? Perhaps. Do you want to stand for 1.5 hours from Santa Fe? Perhaps not. But it does run later than Friday! You have all day to get there and the last train home leaves at 10 PM.

HOT. Cake Fetish. Cupcakes that are delicious works of art! And they have delivery too! “Cake Fetish is Albuquerque's first gourmet cupcake bakery.Each cupcake is made from scratch in small batches by our highly creativebakers using the freshest ingredients.” Uptown, downtown, and the west side.

HOT. Giovanni's Pizza. They recently delivered pies all the way to Central and Girard! And it is still the best authentic NY Style Pizza around.

HOT. Yellow Cab. Fast, friendly, no grief. NOT owned by the same company as Albuquerque Cab contrary to popular belief! 505-247-8888

HOT. Local IQ Magazine. For the "25 and over" crowd who appreciate the finer things in life. Read the column called "Fabü" by my long time friend Lisa Van Dyke!

HOT. Shogun. Still. I love to start the "boat note" and communicate with strangers on the other side of the sushi bar. The sushi is top notch. The people are friendly and the beer's cold. What else do you want? I swear these are the best Spider Rolls on earth! And try a Crispy Dragon Roll.

And last but not least HOT. Monday nights at imbibe. I saw that. Don't wince. I heard that! Just read on, and no, I am not an owner or investor. There are people of all ages here at all times it appears. And what the hell else is there to do on a Monday in Albuquerque?!
MartiniWorld.com Presents Martini World! Mondays...

So who wants to party like a rock star?
Weekends are for amateurs anyway!
Chicken?
Tired?
Too hip for you?

Wait. What about a relaxing happy hour? 4-7 I dare you to find a normal size premium martini for $5 in this town! There are pints of premium imports for $2 too! And I personally put together this ever changing playlist for 4-8 PM. Everything from Dean Martin to songs you recognize from every popular mob movie, even the newer ones.

Still not hooked? How about the cool movie I show at 6? Last week was the original Scarface (1932). This week will be On the Waterfront (1954), with Marlon Brando.

Come watch a movie after work.
NCAA Final Four?
Have a drink.
Have a cigar.

This is Albuquerque's only legal smoking bar.
Don't like smoke?
There is a state of the art filtration system.
They open the garage doors for the warm weather too.
Next Monday 4/06/09 alleged to be 69 degrees, sunny, no wind.

There is also a rooftop patio with great views of Route 66.
And I have the handsome, talented, and single DJ Ryan (the Friday night DJ) at 8 on Mondays.

Hmmm... what else? It's cool. All your friends are doing it.
There'll be models, some promotion every week.
Did I mention surprises too? Like FREE stuff?

Recently featured in abqonthecheap.com!
Check out my promo video too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-7T-syurS8
Hope to see you there. Ciao

Ahhhh the Annual Post-Parade St. Patrick's Party!

2009-03-14T16:30:00.002-06:00

First man down. tsk tsk tsk
Well everyone knows not to pass out at Martini Mike's!

Blog, blog, magazine article, "Online Exclusive"?! St. Patrick's Day Blows

2009-03-13T07:19:00.009-06:00

Is this like "duck, duck, goose"?

This may be my shortest blog ever here.

I'm just here to bring your attention to a good cause... bagpiping!

Long story short I had written an article for a local magazine that had their freelance writer budget cut suddenly.

With not much time left I managed to have it published by the Alibi as an "Online Exclusive".

Thank you to the Alibi and Laura and any ghosts lurking behind the scenes.

It is a seasonal piece about my favorite bagpipers... Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums, AKA "MTS".

My 3rd re-write of this reads much like my the ahem "colorful" blogs you would ordinarily read right here.

So go check out "Not just pipe dreams", and VOTE on it, or the guys below might come lookin' for you!

Oh, then you'll get the reference to Sunday School too.See you at the parade.

And Happy Early St. Patrick's Day to ya'!

http://alibi.com/index.php?story=27086&scn=music

Strange Days

2009-03-08T17:45:00.008-06:00

“Strange days have found us. Strange days have tracked us down” –The Doors.

I can often be overheard spewing forth such tidbits as my continued genuine surprise at not winning the Powerball. Well guess what… I didn’t win again! On the bright side- I was only off by 5 numbers. But I have seen such strange “signs” in my world lately that it could happen. That… or it’s the end of days. The signs are everywhere; you just have to watch for them. Oh, and try to decipher them!

With my allergies and all I got the little lady a 3rd long haired cat from the pound on Valentines. Pass the inhaler please. Three’s a charm? She is a little blonde Italian named Bella. (The cat, not my wife) Her owner had died and it was her first day in jail. (The cat, not the owner) Maybe I should get my polygamous cult off the ground?

Last Friday night we didn’t go out all night. I was up bright and early on Saturday prompting a spontaneous road trip. That’s another story in itself. Maybe I should travel more. Here’s a teaser from Cerrillos…

This past week I spotted the largest gaggle, flock, group, soiree of crows I have ever seen. They were invading Fairview Memorial Park. This caught my attention due to a number of things. My maternal grandparents are buried on the corner. Crows are believed by some to be messengers of the dead. Fairview was the first public cemetery in Albuquerque and has always been a place of interest to me. As a teenager we would come through the fence by some apartments on the next block, at night, to party and visit with the dead. Put all this together of course and I think it means I should throw a party soon and invite The Black Crows to play songs by dead people.
A Playboy Playmate is throwing her birthday party in Albuquerque. Miss August 2008 Kayla Collins. Why? She is not from here. She is also the second Playmate of Irish descent to visit Imbibe. Hmmm… maybe I should throw a St. Patrick’s Day party and an Easter party? Maybe I should just serve rabbit at a St. Patricks Day party.

Here is my new friend from last Playboy event... Shallan Meiers.

I was forced to visit my area Wal-Mart yesterday. The one time I don’t have my camera bag with me. There are two pro football players there signing autographs. NFL stars. One is from the Dallas Cowboys and one from the Bucaneers? Side by side. Why? Who? I don’t know. I didn’t have a pen either. I should always have my camera and a pen.

Tini Time

2009-02-18T18:58:00.003-07:00

They can beat me down like a pinata all day long. Happy hour! Makes it all OK. I Just wish I had Dirty Sue olive juice and a blue cheese stuffed olive or 2!

Well this is Imperia Vodka, dirty, extra dry. Cheers!

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

You're my secession?

2009-02-17T15:40:00.005-07:00

You're my secesssion... my secession...

NM really isn't part of the US?! Is this a new development? Or did the flag simply blow away?

Well, it turns out that the security guards at this company took it down due to the wind. The NM flag got stuck in the wings of the eagle atop the pole. Simply decorative eagle, not an actual eagle. Although I imagine in that brisk wind that an eagle may want to wrap itself in the warmth of our flag that bears the Zia or "sun" symbol!

Ole!

*******************************************************************

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Children of the Night

2009-02-16T14:34:00.012-07:00

"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." - Ernest Hemingway

Well we had a meeting of the minds a few nights ago. True, perhaps spongey and blurred minds at that time. Always looking for ways to make life simpler, while spreading our names across the land, we often meet for long Gin soaked (not literally "Gin", just a figure of speech) discussions on such. Well, and how to make money at the same time! There might be reading of some prose involved as well. Maybe some jamming. This night was no different. Rudolfo Serna, writer, was crying "Anarchy!" at some point. World Champion Bagpiper Nate Lorenz, AKA "Nitro Nate", cigar in hand and near the end of the Whisky Trail joined right in.

Rudolfo is about to publish his first novel. He is a loose member of a loose cooperative known by several names, a few of which escape me now. "Children of Satan"... I remember that one for sure. "Traumatized Root"? Damn. Something with the word "root" in it. I do know they even bought a domain name this week. Well, anyway, from the northern communities of New Mexico they are the only tough, hard drinking, fistacuffing men I know around here that are poets and painters and artists of various mediums. A few weeks ago they had a show in Espanola, NM. Next thing you know I am helping them plan some shows in the big city, there is a name & a website! I was inspired. This all came about after such a discussion last weekend I believe.

My main issue is that I post blogs in two or more places. Having had another strange experience over on my local blog that night I swore I would find a new space. I have a "local" blog which they A. only permit to relate specifically to Albuquerque on that site. Then I also have my "international" blog on MySpace for everything outside of New Mexico basically. What about the in between? And the local blog, popular as it is, is a pain to format everything to their exact specs. That is just one reason that even a popular writer may not end up on the front page. And there goes hours and hours of work... with no one to read it. Sad. I have been accused of feeling "persecuted" but I understand their "tough love" stance and know it's not personal. Ahem.

Days later my buddy Nitro Nate inadvertently brought to my attention the fact that I had an existing account here at blogger.com ! Woohoo! You can change the name or address at any time. You can post a blog from your cell phone for God's sake. You can post a blog from an email. It auto saves regularly. No popup to agree to before adding a hyperlink. No resizing of pictures. No rules other than avoiding nudity. Aside from that-I think I've found my new home.

I have just spent countless hours for the last two days building, tweaking, and testing this space. Let me know what you think. Easy to use? Easy to comment without signing in? Easy to subscribe? Like the little checkboxes? Thanks fellas for the continued brainstorming. Now if Rudy and I could just finish writing our books we can hire Nate as our financial advisor/accountant! Meantime... need a bagpiper or 9? Visit Nate and his other gang at the Mac-Tire of Skye Pipes and Drums site. Rudy hates technology but teaches creative writing at UNM. You can visit the rest of Rudy's Espanola gang soon at their new web space or the show I am trying to organize. Stay Tuned.

Subscribe to this new space because you have nothing to lose. I wish I had the time and energy to write every day but I don't. But I will likely write more frequently now without the aggravation of requirements and guidelines and keeping it about here or there! Thank you all for your continued support. Cheers!

Blog Upload by Email Test #2

2009-02-16T11:46:00.001-07:00

Aaaaand with the correct address!
That delicious looking pic was Friday's lunch!

Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. See how it works.

Blog Posted by Email Experiment!

2009-02-16T11:40:00.002-07:00

WRONG ADDRESS! FORWARDING EXPERIMENT NOW!

From: martiniworld@hotmail.com
To: TOP SECRET
Subject: Blog Posted by Email Experiment!
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:36:25 -0700

OK - this is a test.
In the event this had been a real blog you would have been notified where to report in your local area for fun!

This picture is "Rudolfo Cries for Anarchy!" Nightcap at The Martini World! Private Ultra Lounge on Friday the 13th.

Thanks for visiting!!
-Martini Mike

Chronicler at large.
Read some literary genius at http://themartinimike.blogspot.com/ !
You can now read my articles in Albuquerque the Magazine.

You can become an "official" fan at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-P-Martini-Mike-DArco/50514062148

Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. See how it works.

Windows Live™: E-mail. Chat. Share. Get more ways to connect. Check it out.

2009-02-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

Testing instant mobile blog!

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TADA! Blog Test

2009-02-15T14:19:00.003-07:00

Testing out this space for a possible move of my "regional" writing. Heck, maybe my International blog too! Who knows. So thanks for visiting. Here's a pretty picture.
Red or White? Champagna!

The OTHER blog

2007-09-01T14:28:00.001-06:00

Cheers!
Martini Mike here.

Someone has stolen my name & also my domain name to use here at blogger.com!
I am the one, the only, the original Martini Mike.
My real (International) blog can be found on http://blog.myspace.com/martiniworld .

Visit http://www.martiniworld.com/ !!
Your final stop for all things Martini.
What, where, how, when, why.

Someday I may move my blog here or there. Maybe even duplicate it here or there.
We'll see.

Ciao
-Martini Mike