Ask El Diablo

[Jcrew]

El D,

How much should one tip for pizza delivery service? Is it a function of the number of pizzas you get or the total cost? Maybe just a standard flat rate?

[inferno]

I suck at life, tips?

[danzasmack]

El Diablo,

I have "lived" in NYC for about 5 years now. Can you name 5 things to do in NYC that you assume I haven't done/should do? This could include "eat at _____", but not all 5.

[Dids]

Diablo,

Can you imagine a ballpark figure of how much money 2p2 might have "left on the table" by not being more aggressive in using the forums as a moneymaking tool in the past 3 years?

[Pete H]

What's in your opinion best single malt based on price/value ratio?

What's best tasting whisky you've tried?

What's the most expensive whisky you've tried?

I bought a bottle of Macallan fine oak 18yo mainly based on your whisky thread. I liked it very much, so what's the next Macallan I should get?

[eurythmech]

El D, I noticed you're a Pixies fan, something with you listening to them among other artists while running.
Soooo...you can't be totally lost when it comes to musical taste.

Do you listen to a lot of recent bands / go to shows etc?
I usually get my musical recommendations from indie style magazines or friends with similar taste in music.

So I figure, f it, El D might have something in store for me that I wouldn't be very likely to run into otherwise.

A few more artists I like, just to give a small hint:

Velvet Underground, the Beatles, Tori Amos, the Smiths, New Order, Suede, the New Pornographer...I really should stop now [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] But those are some of the more well known (I imagine) in the US.

I appreciate any input.

[fish2plus2]

Jgor,

Learn to plumb.

Imitation: "How did you find your passions or motivations?"

I actually talked to Diablo about this about a month ago when I was having a quarter life crisis. He sat me down on AOL IM, and told me the following story of what he called "his awakening". I dont remember every detail, but it was something like this:

I was just a 18 year old kid back then, probably not unlike you, except maybe better looking. My parents dropped me off at the Rice University Dormitory. It was my freshmen year. I will never forget that day because it was freezing cold and pouring raining, and while standing inline, a bunch of my co-eds were wearing white t-shirts. At some point or another, their tshirts all ended up getting wet. First I could see the color of their bras. Next, I was able to make out the imprints of their nipples. It was at this time that I felt really funny in my pants. It was on this day August 12, 1991 that I found both my passion and motivation in life.

[NajdorfDefense]

[ QUOTE ]
El Diablo,

I have "lived" in NYC for about 5 years now. Can you name 5 things to do in NYC that you assume I haven't done/should do? This could include "eat at _____", but not all .

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not El D, but

1) Frick Museum, Brooklyn Art Museum/Botanical Gardens. Frick has 3 Vermeers in it, plus some other greats, and is just a stunning 'house,' see what rich guys lived like in the old days.

2) Met/NYC Opera. La Boheme/Magic Flute/Tosca, etc. Even if you just go once, at least go...once. You might like it.

3) Yankees game/Bronx zoo. Great spring/summer events also good 'date' things to do.

4) Qualifying rounds at US Open. Go early, you get to see the stars of tomorrow [and some of yesterdays/current recovering from injury] and see Federer/Roddick/Maria/Venus practice while sitting in the front row.

5) Shakespeare in the Park - another must-do, the talent there is usually quite high both on-stage and off.

The weekly, free outdoor movies in summer, in Bryant Park is also a ton of fun, get there early, bring food & drink, invite some female friends, can't go wrong.

[colgin]

El D,

Recall that about a year ago in a discussion on real estate and the housing bubble you noted that you had some smart friends in New York City who had sold and were sitting on the sideline waiting for prices to come back down.

I have been a firm believer in a national housing bubble and feel vindicated by recent price adjustments nationally. However, in NY prices have stayed pretty much firm notwithstanding lots of new condo units coming online.

Late last year things seemed to soften a bit here but now seem to be picking up in terms of sales activity although I don't see price increases really occurring. Part of the increased activity probably has to do with record Wall St. bonuses but I htink a lot has to do with a lot of people who were on the sdieline last year throwing in the towwel and looking to buy.

Curious what your views are and whatthe views are of your smart NY friends. Are these people still waiting or are they starting to buy again.

Thanks.

Colgin

[The DaveR]

[ QUOTE ]
El Diablo,

I have "lived" in NYC for about 5 years now. Can you name 5 things to do in NYC that you assume I haven't done/should do? This could include "eat at _____", but not all 5.

[/ QUOTE ]

Have you gone to Coney Island? Watch the Cyclones, ride the Cyclone. Good times.