WHATZIN?!?!: La Dolce vita

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

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.

@THEMartiniMike

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!

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

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

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

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.

Strange Days

“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.

You're my secession?

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

"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!