Ryan Shea

Hotel Elysee- Old New York In The Modern Era

When we live in such a modern world that we do with all the technology available at a moment’s notice, sometimes it is good to just stick with the classics. So when you are looking into a nice hotel to stay in, why not one that boasts the stay of legends like Marlon Brando, James Caan and Tennessee Williams? This is of course, The Hotel Elysee. This legendary establishment, which has been around for almost 100 years, is located in the heart of midtown and is surrounded by beautiful scenery, restaurants and so much more. I got the opportunity to stay one night over the weekend and had a wonderful time.

Manhattan Digest, Hotel Elysee — Credit to: Hotel Elysee

The room itself was gigantic. Like mind-blowingly huge! But it was filled with so many beautiful items. The grand piano (which actually worked) was magnificent and really added such a nice touch to the entire experience. I loved all of the beautiful portraits that was on the walls and coffee tables, as well as the incredible furniture that covered most of the room. The bedroom itself was super comfortable, and included my very own terrace!

As an avid television watcher, I was happy to see that there were two separate ones in the bedroom and the living room. This space is large enough to entertain multiple guests, so I would recommend that instead of going out for the night why not stay in at the Hotel Elysee and host your guests? Overall, with the hospitality and the amazing room it was a fantastic stay that I hope to experience again.

While I was there, I got to interview Cheryl Golde, Director of Sales & Marketing, about the Hotel Elysee and what makes it so unique and awesome.

When was the Hotel Elysee founded?

It was founded in 1926.

What does your hotel pride itself upon?

Our customer service and our staff for sure 🙂

I got a very classic, old fashioned type feel in my particular hotel stay. Is this what guests should expect upon their stay?

Yes, we are absolutely “old world, old New York”

What restaurants or places do you recommend people check out that are nearby to Hotel Elysee?

We definitely recommend the Monkey Bar located in the hotel as well as Cellini, just across the street.

What are some of the awesome amenities that your hotel provides?

Complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary nightly wine & hors d’oeuvres reception from 5-8pm, complimentary wifi, complimentary passes to NYSC, 2 complimentary bottles of water upon arrival and a Belgian chocolate bar.

Is this the only Hotel Elysee in the world or are there more?

There are other Hotel Elysee’s, however they are not affiliated us.

Do your rooms have particular themes like some others in the Library Hotel Collections?

Each of our Presidential Suites is themed after an individual. We have the Presidential Suite honoring Vladimir Horowitz (which houses his piano), the Presidential Suite honoring Tennessee Williams and the Presidential Suite honoring Vaclav Havel.

What else can you tell my readers about your fabulous hotel?

The Hotel Elysee is on East 54^th Street between Park and Madison Avenues and is walking distance from the world’s best shopping such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, just to name a few. The Hotel Elysee has been home to movie stars such as Marlon Brando, Ava Gardner, Sidney Poitier, John Barrymore and James Caan as well as to artists such as Maria Callas and Vladimir Horowitz, whose personal piano still stands in the Hotel’s Piano Suite. In addition, famed writers such as Tennessee Williams, Harold Robins and James Clavell and legends such as Joe DiMaggio and Tallulah Bankhead have called the Elysée home over the years. The original concept of the European-style hotel was to offer “discreet and uncompromising” personalized service, which it continues to do each and every day. The Hotel Elysee has been home to the Monkey Bar since it opened. Today, Graydon Carter, the editor of Vanity Fair and owner of the Waverly Inn is the new owner with his partners Hotelier Jeff Klein and Jeremy King.

Hotel Elysee

60 E 54th St

(212) 753-1066

Official Site

Father’s Day Gift Ideas- Edge Gel & Schick Razors

by Ryan Shea

Edge, Manhattan Digest, Father — Credit to: Edge Shave Gel

With the endless amount of coverage that Father’s Day is getting lately and the wacky gifts that come with it, why not get your father something simple and practical that he can use on an everyday basis? Cue to Edge® Sensitive Pro Relief Shave Gel and the Schick Hydro® 5 Groomer to help your father with his everyday shaving essentials. As a big fan of both brands myself, I am excited whenever the brand comes out with something new and fun for both father’s and sons to enjoy. Here is some more information on the brands-

Bring Out Dad’s Sensitive Side: Edge® Sensitive Pro Relief Shave Gel is specially formulated for men with sensitive skin, helping to reduce irritation and friction between the razor and skin throughout each shave. Dads may be unable to guard against other moments in their lives when their sensitive sides are tested (Child’s Firsts, College Graduations, Child’s Wedding Day) but Edge Sensitive Pro Relief Shave Gel at least has their sensitive skin covered. It features a special formula of lubricating molecules, emollients and a special blend of skin conditioners to help protect sensitive skin from irritation and enhance razor glide.

Schick, Manhattan Digest, Father — Credit to: Schick

Your Dad Started The Beard Trend: It’s no secret that the popularity of facial hair among men has increased in recent years. While men look for more ways to experiment with new facial hair styles, they don’t want to over complicate their grooming routines. The new Schick Hydro® 5 Groomer is a first of its kind razor system, designed to simplify a man’s precious time in front of the mirror. The Schick Hydro 5 Groomer is a 4-in-1 performance styling tool that shaves, grooms, edges and hydrates. With a Schick Hydro 5 razor on one end and an adjustable power trimmer on the other, this all-in-one tool eliminates the need for multiple attachments, making it easier than ever for men to maintain their personal grooming styles.

For more information on Edge and Schick, check out their official websites.

The Library Hotel- A Unique Stay at a Beautiful Place

by Ryan Shea

Hard to believe that even in a city like New York you can run into a rut when it comes to finding something creative and unique to spark many facets of your mind. Well I believe I found it this past weekend when I stayed at the truthfully beautiful Library Hotel, located on Madison Avenue between 41^st and 42^nd Street. This is part of the “Library Hotel Collection”, which boasts itself on the main page as “A Novel Approach To Hospitality”. That is quite the understatement. Two things I never thought I would say in a single sentence is “Fabulous Hotel Stay” and “Dewey Decimal System”. Why would these be together? Stay tuned to find out.

I went into my experience at The Library Hotel as I do with most of my reviews with not doing too much research and going in with low expectations as my hope when I leave is that I am blown away to a certain extent. The Library Hotel met my expectations and so much more. The hotel is in a fabulous location in the first place, as it is nearby Times Square but isn’t surrounded by the exhaustive traffic that the main part of the area experiences. Upon my entrance something that I noticed, on top of the fantastic hospitality that I experienced, I noticed an assortment of books throughout the main lobby. Now this really wasn’t a shock to me as it is called The Library Hotel, but upon further investigation I found out that each floor was devoted to each classification of the Dewey Decimal System. TOTES COOL!

Library Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Library Hotel

For instance, I was on the 5^th floor which is considered Pure Science (not my best subject in school FYI). I stayed in the epically cool Dinosaur room, which is located adjacent to the Astronomy room. The way the room was designed and colored was stunning, from its beautiful white bed and shades of brown throughout the bedroom to the variety of blues in the gorgeous bathroom. Of course there were countless books about Dinosaurs, which brought me back to my high school days but I was able to divulge in a couple of them while I stayed which made the experience that much better.

This hotel screams for a quiet atmosphere (nice juxtaposition ay). You feel as if you are staying at a hotel version of either a lovely café or an upscale Library. Something that was a bit off for me when I checked in was how small the television was, however this place isn’t designed for you to sit around and watch repeats of shows you can watch at home. I get the sense that they want you to experience all it has to offer. And boy does it have a lot to offer. When you stay at The Library Hotel, you get these fantastic amenities to go along with-

Bountiful continental breakfast buffet every morning including pastries, bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, cold and hot cereals, boiled eggs, yogurt, juices, freshly brewed coffee, tea, espresso and cappuccino.
Evening reception offering Prosecco, fine wines, imported and domestic cheeses, fresh bread, crackers, and crudités.
Selection of coffee, cappuccino, teas, juices, cookies, and fruits throughout the day served in the Reading Room.
Wired and wireless high speed Internet access throughout the Hotel.
Access to New York Sports Clubs throughout Manhattan.
Evening turndown service with bottled water and Belgian chocolates.
Access to a selection of DVDs, daily newspapers and over 6,000 books.

One of my favorite parts of the Hotel was The Reading Room, which is mentioned above. It reminded me of a Barnes N Noble type, and the assortment of food they provide was quite delectable. I sat down the other day with VP of Sales Adele Gutman (sweetest lady ever!) and Director Of Sales Ivana Bolf, to find out more about this amazing location. The hotel started roughly 14 years ago in 2000, and was able to weather the tough storm that was 9/11. Something they delightfully describe is how customers will love the vast amount of rooms they have that coincide with how the Dewey Decimal system operates. “We have such unique rooms from The Fairy Tale Room to the Erotica room and the one you stayed in. We really want the people who stay here to really love each and every moment of it”. A lot of hotels have gone through its ups and downs in the flip flop of an economy since 2000, so when I asked how has this hotel stayed so popular throughout (and even named one of the best boutique hotels in NYC), the answer was simple. “We believe in making a human connection. When people come from near and far to stay with us, we want them to know that we are there for them throughout their stay. Making eye to eye connection, taking care of whatever their wants and needs and providing an excellent experience with the amenities we provide are the reasons why we have been able to do so well over the years”, says the lovely Adele.

Even if you aren’t a huge cultural or literary aficionado, I would highly recommend staying at The Library Hotel. It is such an incredible experience that anyone who is traveling near and far should stay at. Take a look at their official website for more information and check back here for future Library Hotel Collection reviews.

The Library Hotel

299 Madison Avenue (Between 41st and 42nd Street)

(212) 983-4500

Hummus & Pita Co Review – Fun, Fresh & Yummy

by Ryan Shea

I don’t think I have ever met a human being who doesn’t like any of the following- Pita, Gyro or Hummus. How could you not, they are all freaking delicious? With the ever growing trend of quote unquote “down the line” joints, where you order as you go down the line, one place in Chelsea seems to take that concept and put a fresh spin on it. [Read more…] about Hummus & Pita Co Review – Fun, Fresh & Yummy

Strip House Brings Tasty Steaks & So Much More

by Ryan Shea

Strip House- Not Just Your Average Steak Joint My Friends

With the exceptions of the vegetarians and any algorithm of the sort, Steak has to be one of the best foods on the planet. There is such a variety in how many ways that it is prepared that you are bound to find at least one or two ways to cook it, marinate it and enjoy it to your hearts content. But what happens when you take that idea and elevate it, surround it with a bunch of fascinating sides, and finish it with some impressive desserts? You get Strip House, located in the heart of both midtown and Greenwich Village. The midtown location, opened for about two years, was nice enough to host myself and a guest last night and we got to taste the array of flavors that truly make going to Strip House quite the unique experience if I do say so myself. Here is a little more about Strip House as a whole. [Read more…] about Strip House Brings Tasty Steaks & So Much More

Partnered & Open Relationship Guys on Gay Apps- Yay or Nay?

by Ryan Shea

Open Relationship, Partnered, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Care2

It is hard to believe that I have been in the gay community for ten years now and have developed quite an understanding of the vast differences and similarities that bring us together but also tear us apart. An issue that remains controversial in our community is the foundation of open relationships and why they seem to cause a lot of stress for single men as well as the ones in the relationships (not all, but some). What tends to increase that is the ever growing presence of men who are partnered or in open relationships on these apps that make it tougher for single guys, like myself, to weed out the ones who just want you in the physical form and find the ones that are genuinely single and want to develop something with you outside of the Smart Phone world that we live in. The thing is that there are many different sides in which how you can process this theory that has many valid points. Take a look below at the several

“Gay apps aren’t dating apps, they are hookup ones so anyone should be able to be on there.”

For some, if not many, this is the case. Apps like Scruff, Jack’d, Growlr and Grindr can be designed for that kind of behavior. Yet others, like myself, can see it as that but also as a way to meet friends, dates and even network with someone for whatever reasons possible. So it should be free reign for all, per se.

“I get really fed up with always getting hit on by partnered or guys in an open relationship, that’s not how I want to be viewed is just a side thing.”

This is something that I myself have dealt with. Most recently I was talking to a guy who kept wanting to hang out with me only to tell me later on that he was concealing a near seven year relationship with someone. I was furious to be lead on that way. There are still a good amount of guys who use these things in hopes that they will find someone, and unless you are open to being just a hook up buddy with someone who is already dating someone else then it really sours the whole “app” experience in the first place. Some people, as my friend Pete put it, want to find someone who inspires us to delete those apps and just focus on that one person, which is something that I agree with.

Then there are the ones who believe this question in the first place is true judgement-

“I’m a firm believer that if you have a kitchen, you shouldn’t eat out at restaurants.”

“I guess my major point is that I’m a firm believer in minding your own business and not telling other people how to live their lives….”

“I’m a firm believer that if you have a toilet, you shouldn’t poop outside on the street.”

“Isn’t this a bit like saying “if you’re a couple, you shouldn’t be going out to the bar(s)?”

These were all responses to a quite harsh post that I put on my own personal Facebook about the ever presence of both partnered & open relationship men on these apps. Granted, if it came off as judgement then so be it, but there is a difference what I perceive to be an opinion versus what is a judgement, which is two different things.

At the end of the day, we should all be on there regardless of what our relationship status, size, color, etc.

“There are hundreds / thousands + men on these apps. They are fully capable of making a decision of whether or not they want to pursue someone in an open relationship or not. And even if they do decide to pursue someone who is taken, there are many other guys on there. Blaming the difficulty of weeding out the guys who aren’t coupled, on those guys, is quite unfair. Especially when the purpose of these apps is defined by each individual user, for friends, dates, sex, whatever. And especially when we start relying solely on apps to meet people.”

Manhattan Digest, Partnered, Open Relationships — Credit to: Nokia Innovations

The above, which was made by a friend of mine, has a good point to it. The main issue that I think all gay men face is this epic struggle of wanting their own opinion or viewpoint validated but at the same time this sense of community in the larger picture of things where we want to be even further validated by the world. So when it comes down to something like the types of men that should be on apps that some perceive to be about dating, some perceive to be about hooking up and some to perceive to be about all of that and in between, it really is all relative. It is up to each individual person to find that particular guy they want to develop something with, no matter what it is, and not let outside voices & what we see in the media influence what we ultimately want.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

Brandon Deyette on “Proxy”, Charlie Harding and More

by Ryan Shea

It’s always good to be green and eager about something, which is the vibe and feel that I got when I recently sat down with director Brandon Deyette about his upcoming indie movie “Proxy”. The movie is set in three different locations, one being right here in the heart of Brooklyn, and talks about multiple stories from different characters manifesting in a small part of who Brandon really is. This project fell into my lap because one of the actors in the movie is my good friend Charlie Harding, who is taking on his first mainstream role (super proud FYI). I talked with Brandon about the “Proxy” movie as well as why casting Charlie was a blessing more than a controversy as well as what his biggest hopes are for this movie. Check it out.

Tell me about the movie “Proxy”. What inspired you to make it?

Without going into too much detail there were two phases to this script. I initially started writing it in 2005. I penned about 10 pages (and yes I mean penned) and left it alone. I was a young buck and impressionable. The version today is completely different than what was written 9 years ago.

About a year ago I came across the story while going through boxes after I ended a two year relationship. At that point in time I sat down at a computer and pretty much typed out 102 pages of a script. It was honestly a very cathartic moment in my life. It’s really a reflection of all the turmoil that was going on inside my head poured out onto the keyboard and somehow turned into “Proxy.” Each character, each story is truly a manifestation of a small part of me.

The film is more thematically driven and a character study rather than centered on a central plot. We, as an audience, observe these 3 stories through 8 lives and how they are intertwined by one man’s indiscretion. The point isn’t how they are connected but the mere fact that all of our choices ultimately influence so many other people’s decisions, actions, and lives in general.

Did you draw influence from other movies out there when making this?

Of course. I got an amazing compliment while looking at the rehearsal footage. Someone said, “That looks a lot like Lars Von Trier.” I almost cried since it is primarily based upon his and Thomas Vinterburg’s Dogme 95. Here is a link about Dogme 95 to spare you all the details about it but it’s fascinating: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogme_95While in graduate film school at Georgia State University we watched “The Celebration” (aka Festen) by Vinterburg, which won the 1998 Jury Prize at Cannes, and I was deeply moved by the narration of the story. The simplicity of the direction, cinematography, and lighting juxtaposed to the complexity of the acting and storyline really made me think twice about my approach to filmmaking and screenwriting overall.

There are also influences from Sofia Coppola, Woody Allen, Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Chris Cunningham, David Fincher, Lena Dunham, Vincent Gallo and, of course, Andrew Haigh. Here is a link to our pinterest boards we used for inspiration and such while choosing lighting, locations, looks, etc… It was a very fascinating process.http://www.pinterest.com/brandizza1/

In terms of filming where has this mainly been shot and why those locations?

The script is based in 3 locations: North Florida, Atlanta Suburbs and Brooklyn. We scouted all three places and were originally going to shoot the whole thing in Atlanta. But then we saw an apartment in Harlem that was PERFECT for the NYC scene that we had to change the story up just to fit the location.

The same happened with the North Florida location. We found the perfect house in Athens, GA. As an homage to my alma mater (University of Georgia where I did both my undergrad degrees) I changed the setting to Athens. I suppose that’s a benefit of being the writer, I can make those decisions on the spot.

The Atlanta suburb location stayed the same. We contemplated moving to Detroit but it made more sense in the storyline to keep it in Atlanta. You’ll understand more when you see the film. I’d hate to give too much away.

Proxy, Manhattan Digest, Brandon Deyette — Credit to: Brandon Deyette

Charlie Harding is a good friend of mine and a well known actor in the porn world who is transitioning into the mainstream world. Was there hesitation in choosing him for this film?

I’d be a liar if I said there wasn’t any hesitation. But I knew what I was getting myself into before we even started. For the role of Tristan I had auditioned many people in NYC, Atlanta and Miami as well as took video auditions from people around the world. There was a very specific look I was going for with this role and attitude that someone couldn’t just pretend to act like. It is this raw sense of confidence that I wasn’t able to find anywhere. When discussing with my boss about the casting process I said, “I had this dream last night and in the dream someone told me I should cast a pornstar for this role.” He said, “Interesting choice but it makes sense.”

Tristan really bares himself emotionally, which is almost like being completely naked on screen. So I put out a request on Facebook to my friends to see if anyone knew of any porn actors that may be interested in the role. I had several people approach me but none so much like Charlie.

When he came to audition he was so well prepared, more so than anyone else to be honest. It wasn’t his confidence that sold me, it was his willingness to adapt and take direction as well as his vulnerability that really got me. There is one scene where he breaks down and talks about love for the first time. This was that moment that he really captured my attention and I said, “we have our Tristan.”

In regards to the transition from porn to mainstream film, I think if you allow the negative stigma to be attached then that’s all you’re going to get. I believe Charlie sees beyond that and has such an eagerness to try new things I believe his audience, and the masses, are going to embrace this transition with open arms.

What does he bring to his role that will make people who know him from porn forget that image and truthfully see him as a mainstream actor?

MAN! The worst thing about this script is that there are so many twists and reveals that if I say too much then it’ll ruin the film. I’m going to be as vague as possible without completely alienating the audience.

There are two moments we see a different side of Charlie. I think due to his ability to get naked on set in front of so many people and expose himself that being as vulnerable as he was in this film became almost second nature. Actors typically struggle with removing the “self” and really diving into a character. Especially tapping into the parts of yourself that you may fear exist. Charlie did this effortlessly.

The first being when he hears, for the first time, one of the initial plot twists. While in rehearsal he always showed great restraint in fighting back his sorrow and building rage. But when we shot, it became such a multi-layered, complex range of emotions. I couldn’t pinpoint just one emotion but rather a great array. The entire cast and crew had to take a moment after that scene to acknowledge our own emotions and what came up. It was a very powerful moment for us all. You’ll know it when you see the film.

The second is when he discusses being in love. That tender moment we saw in the auditions went beyond our expectations. It’s so disarming to see this gorgeous, ripped, muscle man really show his softer side. After each take we’d all look at each other on set and say, “Awe… he’s so in love (with a fictional character).”

Would you consider casting him for future roles?

Absolutely. In fact, without giving too much away (I’m not that secretive, I promise) I am in the midst of developing a tv series this summer. One of the roles is written for Charlie. I mean, specifically for him. I think that’s all I’m going to say about that one. I don’t want to lead the cart before the horse.

What are you hoping your audience takes away from this movie after they see it?

My main drive in doing film is to entertain, inspire and educate. I want, no matter what I produce, for each project to generate discourse about the subject matter within the piece. In regards to this film, there are so many themes and seemingly taboo subjects that I would love for people to leave the cinema engaging in dialogue about the film. It discusses fidelity, monogamy, betrayal, lying, deception, love, dreams, expectations, fear, diseases, guilt, and most importantly hope.

The film doesn’t force any of my own beliefs upon people. In fact, for the most part, I sometimes disagree with what the characters say. Which was very odd writing something you truly don’t agree with. But that’s just it, the point is to not force a thought, belief, or idea down someone’s throat but to help facilitate discussion about the issues at hand.

I also hope they see a beautiful film that inspires them creatively. That the performances touch them and really cause a viscerally emotional reaction. Everyone can identify with at least one of the characters or at least knows someone with similar characteristics or in a similar situation. The identification can help connect the audience to the story and it becomes a personal experience.

Best case scenario in terms of this movies success… Go!

Well we plan on first submitting to Sundance at the end of August. Which is quite an aggressive timeline considering we just wrapped production. But it’s pretty straight forward so I can’t imagine it will take more than 3 months to complete editing, sound mixing and getting all of our ducks in a row.

THE IDEA is to submit to Sundance, get accepted and then be picked up for distribution. I’d love to have a theatrical release and then on multi-varied-media platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Digital Download, DVD, a medium that hasn’t been discovered yet, etc…). I feel all of the performances are so strong that they are definitely contenders for some acting awards. People are really going to be blown away by this, especially Charlie’s performance.

I want to see “Proxy” as a profitable and award-winning feature film. And it will be.

Final thoughts for my readers?

We are doing an IndieGoGo fundraiser to help raise extra funds for sound mixing and festival submissions. For anyone that donates $100 or more and emails us at [email protected] to notify us that the donation was made on behalf of Charlie Harding, we will honor all perks specified on the site as well as have Charlie personally sign an “adult” photo of himself and send it to you. You can go to this direct link http://igg.me/at/proxythefilm/x or go to our website at http://www.proxythefilm.com Please like us on Facebook at proxythefilm2014, Instagram and Twitter @proxythefilm

And just so you know, this film features the acting debut of Sadako Pointer of the Pointer Sisters. She is original member Ruth Pointer’s granddaughter. She joined the group some years ago after her Aunt June passed away. She’ll knock your socks off. She’s incredible.

Best MC’s Of All Time- A Candid Discussion

by Ryan Shea

Who Is The Greatest MC Of All Time?

Such as the endless debate of which came first, the chicken or the egg, is equal if not less than the debate over who is the greatest MC of all time in the hip hop game. Long talked about for almost thirty years now, hip hop heads from across the world have spoken their mind on who they personally think is the best for whatever particular reason they think it might be. Factors like longevity, impact, the ability to spit ill shit on a dime and overall persona are just some of the reasons why students of the hip hop university we all know and love claim why their personal number one is the best. So what happens when you get three eager and green students together to discuss this epic battle of King King in the hip hop world? [Read more…] about Best MC’s Of All Time- A Candid Discussion

Tryp Hotel In Times Square South- My Review

by Ryan Shea

TRYP Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The TRYP Hotel

When it comes to lodging in New York City, the options are plentiful, luxuriating and for whatever price point you pay should leave you feeling happy that you stayed. You can stay at a hotel chain that is worldwide known or even one that is only local to the Manhattan area. I was lucky enough to find a bit of both in The TRYP Hotel, located at 345 West 35th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue, conveniently in between Times Square and Penn Station. TRYP, which is part of the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, just celebrated its second anniversary in New York City, and is still the only TRYP location in North America (excluding one in Quebec, Canada). Already a hit overseas in Europe, TRYP Hotel sits conveniently adjacent and somewhat front and center of the trendiest parts of Manhattan, from Hell’s Kitchen to Chelsea, and packs a great punch with it in its hospitality, color, vibrant look and overall satisfaction that each guest gets.

The lovely people at TRYP Hotel were kind enough to let me stay one night and experience the hotel first hand. I was instantly impressed by the look and feel of it, including the beautiful decor of the lobby as well as the restaurant and bar which is located right when you walk in. As someone who is familiar with hospitality due to many of my peers majoring in it at my alma matter, I was very impressed with the speed in which I was taken care of yet at the same time was spoken to friendly & kindly by the staff who detailed everything about my stay and let me know of all the local hotspots and amenities that I would receive while staying.

Manhattan Digest, TRYP Hotel — Credit to: TRYP Hotel

The room itself was breathtaking. I stayed in one of their premium rooms, which took class and elegance to a whole other level. Upon my entry there was a beautiful white colored couch that turned into a relaxing sofa bed in case I had extra guests. The color scheme of the wood finish with the couch and the side table really gelled well overall with the feel of the room. The bathroom was edgy and hip, with a immaculately colored red finishing on the shower that complimented the black floors. The King size bed was truthfully fit for a King yet could fit three more people in it if need be. It was very comfortable and made it that much harder to leave the room and head out with my friends. The baby blue wall coloring mixed with the black curtains had a great vibe to it, and the black headboard was really charming with its writings about famous quotes about New York City itself (the greatest city in the world, etc). The great thing about this premium room is really not just the decor but the space in it as well. If its just one person it works, but if you have a bigger party you can find room for them and then some. Here is a little more information on the history of the TRYP Hotel decor.

The hotels decor was created by New York City-based designer Glen Coben of the Manhattan-based architectural and interior design firm Glen & Company. The design, which includes sustainable elements, exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood and tile floors, colorful accents and wrought iron screens, reflects the property’s central New York City location and the TRYP by Wydnham’s brand’s Mediterranean roots.

Additional hotel features include complimentary high-speed wireless Internet (huge plus for me as other hotel stays charge. Tisk Tisk) access in all guest rooms, high-definition flat-screen televisions with international channels, concierge services, business services, 24 hour fitness center and nearly 1,200 square feet of function space that can accommodate up to 70 attendees.

I got to speak with the general manager Verdell Ekberg, who was very instrumental in making my stay a very pleasurable one. He let me know a lot of key facts about this location, such as the median for who usually stays there happens to be the Generation X/Y group of people, furthering my belief that this is a place to stay at if you are young and hip. They are also in the process of expanding their North American presence, mainly in the United States, with new locations opening soon in Long Island City and Atlantic City. Something that I noticed TRYP Hotel does that he further talked about was that each employee’s name badge didn’t have what their exact job title was under their name, but what their ultimate passion was. For instance, one employee who I developed quite a liking for due to her warm presence and candor, had “fashion” under her name plate. What is great about this in my opinion is that it gives the people that work there more than just a job title but someone you can strike up a conversation with that goes beyond the norm. That to me makes TRYP even more unique than it already is.

Before I left, I was treated to their delicious breakfast buffet that is full of filling and yummy food, fit to satisfy anyone. Overall, I would rate this hotel a 10 out of 10 in my opinion for all the reasons listed above. This is a place that I would highly recommend staying at just to see what all my fuss was about. Take a look at the official site for booking info, as well as upcoming contests and specials that TRYP is having. It’s worth the stay, trust me.

TRYP Hotel

345 West 35th Street

212-600-2440

Justin Hall- The Next Big Thing In Comic Books

by Ryan Shea

As someone who has been writing about the plethora of diversity in the gay world albeit political issues, groundbreakers in music, or pioneers in the fight against HIV & AIDS, one facet that I never wrote about before was the gay comic book world. It simply was never on my radar and something that I was never quite adept in knowing about. Then about a month ago, while I was visiting the beautiful city of San Francisco, I met the devilishly handsome and insanely talented Justin Hall, who is an award winning comic book writer and editor. I got to know him quite well on my visit and got a quick understanding about his passion for comic books, but I wanted to know more. Cue last week, where he is now visiting New York City to present at tomorrow night’s LAMBDA Literary Awards, a ceremony in which he won an award for last year. Justin is a breath of fresh air in the gay world in terms of his persona, smarts, knowledge of not only the comic book industry but gay society as well, and above all a really great guy. In my interview with him, he talks about his love for comics since he was a child to meeting his idols in the comic book industry and eventually breaking ground of his own in so many different ways such an teaching & mentoring the next generation of comic book artists. Check it out.

Justin Hall, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Justin Hall

Now I am not very adept in the comic book world, so I’m going to soak this all in like a sponge. First off, what started your love for comic books and the industry as a whole?

I’ve always been obsessed with comics my entire life. It’s actually how I learned to read which is something that I have never gotten over. I’ve always kind of thought of stories as being both visual and verbal, and to me for whatever reason comic books were better than full on animation because of how a story can stay on the static page. I think of comics as a kind of outlook or language about time in static form whereas with film and animation you are essentially seeing time as a one to one experience. Filmmakers can do fast motion or slow motion or whatever, but basically the audiences are experiencing time in the way that the filmmaker is giving it to you as a one to one level experience, whereas comic books you don’t have that. It’s a static form in putting different images together and creating this allegory about time, that you are manipulating the reader through the experience but you can’t control how fast they actually read the page. I just find that relationship really magical and the allegorical distance between the medium and its depiction of time that allows for this plasticity and how you can manipulate things.

I’ll give you an example here. There is a comic book called “The Amazon” which is this guy going through the Amazon jungle and dealing with developers and stuff like that. You’ll have an image, and there is three different narrative text boxes that happen throughout the entire comic. The first one are his thoughts that are happening at the moment that he is experiencing. There is another text box done in cursive on lined paper so it looks different. This one is his diary in which at the end of the day he writers about his experiences, and there is a third text box which is called “typed phase” and that is the book he writes a year later about the overall experience. So you are seeing what’s happening with the images, and you have these these three different text boxes which are what he is thinking at the moment, at the end of the day and a year later in time. His thoughts about it radically change, and you see how time changes his theory of events. This is something you can’t do in any other medium, that sort of manipulation of time that you can’t do in prose or in film. It is a very comic book thing that has a sophistication around it which I happen to love.

Do you have an overall particular comic that you are obsessed with?

I definitely have had a lot of favorites over the years. One kind of comic book that I have loved consistently is “Love & Rockets” by the Hernandez Brothers. I think its arguably the greatest American comic. If you look at its entire stand, which is 30 years of work at this point, they have created this huge arcade universe of its characters. They have grown up, had children, they’ve created worlds essentially. It is smart, beautiful and touching and just a good story.

So seeing as you have such a deep love for it, when did you decide that this is something I want to do with my life?

I’ve always known that I wanted to do it from the very beginning. I had an art teacher that told my parents that my obsession with drawing, which was compulsive to the point that I would draw all over the pencil sharpener because I couldn’t get back to the paper fast enough, was a narrative impulse as opposed to just a visual impulse. As soon as I could tell my stories verbally better, I would kind of lose this compulsion to draw. She would make sure that I continue to tell these stories visually, so I kind of blame her. She would continue giving me these extra projects, from the time I was in 2nd to 8th grade, and I learned to tell stories visually which eventually kind of stuck with me and got me to where I am today.

Do you have any particular mentors or your heroes with the Comic Book Industry?

Going back to “Love & Rockets”, I love both the work of Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez. Both of them are world class cartoonists, Jaime is also a world class illustrator where as Gilbert is not. But he is so proficient in his world of story telling and cartooning that he is equally as good as his brother at cartooning. I find it really inspiring because I am not a naturally gifted illustrator. I’m OK and I’m getting better, but I am never going to have that kind of natural flare and illustration that some people do. But, I do believe that I am a good natural storyteller so if I can get my cartooning to the point where everything works for the purpose of the story and the story is as good as it possibly can be then that’s what I want for my career and out of my creative ambitions. Gilbert manifests that for me.

I also have other heroes, like some of the other female & queer cartoonists that are out there. Ones like Allison Bechdel, who did “Fun Home”, Howard Cruse who did “Stuck Rubber Baby” are absolute heroes of mine. The world of cartoonists is such a small world now that I am able to meet a lot of my heroes which is pretty cool. If I was a rock musician it would be hard to meet the Rolling Stones, but I have met the equivalent in comics because it is such a small world.

Have you had a ubiquitous moment yet where you feel like you’ve made it?

Starting to teach comics was the big turning point for me. I’ve been teaching comics at the California College of the Arts for the last few years. When I started doing that it was terrifying and nerve wracking to teach. Once I started realizing I was good at teaching but got enough information, knowledge and expertise in this is really where I found my footing and that nerve wracking feeling went away. That is the turning point, where you are proficient enough in this thing where you can impart your knowledge onto someone else. And they look up to me now, which is the best part.

Manhattan Digest, Justin Hall — Credit to: Justin Hall

You are here in New York City this weekend for the LAMBDA Literary Awards, are you excited?

Yeah definitely. The LAMBDA Literary Awards are kind of the pre-eminent LGBT literary awards basically. There is a huge amount of categories that includes everything from “Lesbian Poetry” to “Transgendered Fiction”. I edited a book called “No Straight Lines: Four Decades Of Queer Comics”, which is the closest thing to a comprehensive look into the best of LGBT comics. It’s about 3 years of work, kind of going through gay newspapers, the dyke punk scenes, the gay underground comics of the 70’s. It is a huge range of material and just a great thing to do. This book won a LAMBDA Literary Award last year in LGBT Anthology, so now this year they’ve included Graphic Novel as a category at the awards which is the first year they have done that. It is really exciting for me because I feel like I have brought comics into the queer literary field. This year I’m going to be presenting a special award to Allison Bechdel, who I talked about earlier. She did “Fun Home” and “Dykes To Watch Out For” for over 25 years, for which the former was actually turned into a Broadway play. She is kind of the one that has broken out into the mainstream, such an amazing creator and I am really excited to present this award to her.

These are pretty huge things for you already, but what are you hopeful for in the future?

In terms of teaching I just started at MFA & Comics, the Masters & Fine Arts of Comics, so that is consuming a lot of my time right now. I’ve been teaching undergraduate classes for a while which now we are starting this masters in comics which I am really excited to be teaching at the graduate level now. In terms of the “No Straight Lines” project, we are starting a documentary based on the book. We’ve been interviewing people, especially some of the older people and I want to make sure that I get them on tape or film and get their stories while they are still with us. We have put together enough interviews now where we are ready to cut a trailer and funding. I’m finishing up grad school and have this graphic novel as my thesis, which will take another two years to finish up. It is set in the Kink.com armory, and its about a new naive porn star that comes into the porn world with a grizzled porn veteran. There is a ghost that is haunting the armory that is creating this kind of a love triangle of sorts. I’m also writing a comic series for someone else to illustrate about the pot industry in Northern California. Still living my life, putting out other art and enjoying my time in San Francisco.

Want to know more about Justin and his incredible awesomeness? Check out his site for more information.

Ryan Shea

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