Audio Content Reader [audio:101016.mp3]

Oh, I never used to say this but it was the night of nights. Grand Marquis Marriott Hotel, Times Square – the ultimate cocktail wine event. If there wasn’t 500 people, there was 800. I thought I would have a hard time getting into this place. Very funny, as I tried to sneak in, I was stopped right away. I said I was press and I said I had to go to the press table. So I went there and there were two photographers in front of me.

I got my turn and I said, “I’m from Portraits of New York. I was emailed to cover this event, I’m sorry I’m late,” because I was about an hour late. I just have to take a bunch of pictures and get out of here because I have another event to shoot. She goes, “Okay, that’s okay.” She gave me a Press Pass besides the one I had.

I walked in there. They had an orchestra – not a band, an orchestra. They had maybe 40 open bar areas. These are whiskeys, liquors, champagnes, wines, tequila, scotches from around the world with all the people serving. The women had evening gowns on, the gentlemen had derbies on. It was beautiful.

I wasn’t excited about the liquor which was great but it was the people that were there – women with satin gloves on, guys with tuxedos. I had a field day plus I got to try these 50 year old scotches, 25 year old rums. Anyway, I had a wonderful time. Nobody showed up. I told some people about it but Friday night they had dates or whatever they’re doing, they missed out.

There, as I was photographing, the other photographers – the New York Post was there and some other magazines – but I always get the girls to the side and make them hold the bottle and pose them. Of course, the other photographers are following me. I don’t want to brag but this happens all the time. I get to one of these events and I pose people you know for publicity for them or for whatever, for the site and people follow my lead. Anyway, it was great.

There’s a little blog before this so I messed up with the phone key so just void that out. I have a lot of stuff to talk about, I just got to go to work 27th or 24th Street. My voice is shot, I’ll be calling in later.

Signing off.