I'll take Manhattan...

I'm dizzy. Not from the ubiquitous revolving doors in NYC but really, just the sublime existence of the city itself. So much of everything is here. It can be over-stimulating. And yet, it's also a place that oddly clarifies whatever is happening in your life, in the simple act of looking out the window at the hustle and bustle of perpetually honking cars and cabbies, or by walking down a rain-slicked Midtown avenue that houses a global composite of eateries and shops and people. A marvelous kind of kinetic, creative energy seemingly permeates every window display, street corner hot dog stand, and impromptu conversation. Lights sparkle a bit brighter than expected. People are more open and friendly than you'd imagine. It's a city draped in red velvet and asphalt, all mahogany and stained concrete, wrought iron and black rubber, steeping in an aroma of burnt coffee and freshly baked bread.

You'll have to excuse my overly romantic notions of Manhattan. There is ugly here, too, of course. And harshness, sadness, anger, corruption, decrepitude, blah blah blah. I prefer to focus on the profound beauty of this place. The tiny nooks of inspiration. I craved it for so long I forgot that it's all around me, whenever I really open my eyes and breathe...

Big Apple: The O'Reilly Factor UPDATE

Watch Thespian (@Andrew_DeAngelo) and his big bro (@SteveDeAngelo) on "The O'Reilly Factor" 8pm or 11pm ET/PT Wednesday on FOXNEWS!

The Big Apple, redux

The last time was just a little over five years ago. (And it was so great, I had to write about it not just once but twice!) And here I am, back at an airport bar (my favorite!)--this time, in a wine bar at SFO--contemplating my return trip to New York City.

It'll be yet another whirlwind adventure, for sure. I'm catching the red eye to meet Thespian and his bro (and his bro's assistant and publicity manager), who are conducting yet another media frenzy thingamabob for their upcoming TV series ("Weed Wars," premiering this Thursday at 10pm on Discovery Channel and Discovery Fitness & Health). They're doing a bunch of print and radio interviews, as well as a couple TV talk shows (including "The O'Reilly Factor"! Eek! Watch Monday night at 8pm and 11pm EST/PST!).

I'm going to provide moral support for Thespian. And, you know, check his wardrobe and hair. Give some final words of encouragement. Kinda like a fluffer! Well, not like... OK, yes, sorta like that.

Anyway, while he's doing his professional cannabiz media stuff, I'll be traipsing around NYC, gloriously consuming that city of cities while trying not to look too freaking happy about it lest my cover as tourista be blown.

Wish me--and Thespian, his bro, his bro's assistant and publicist--luck!

(I'll post pics for these, uh, posts, when I return.)