“You have to check out this blog I just discovered!” my friend Miranda told me over the picnic lunch we were eating on a bench outside the Museum of Natural History. And even though I myself am a blogger, I listened with the skepticism we all have when we hear such words; the same feelings when some one tells us, “Watch this Youtube video!” The premise of the blog, she went on to tell me, is one man in New York City attempting to work 100 jobs in one year. I smiled- “Sounds like me,” though I’ve never hit triple digits, well maybe I have but just never counted.
Not even a week later, I ended up working a job with Dave, the author of 100 Jobs in 1 Year. I should have known, in the small world of promotions, it was inevitable our paths would cross. We alone were the friendly minority on a team of surprisingly surly people promoting a brand known for making cheese. He has a wonderfully warm and open disposition from the moment you meet him. He’s just the guy you want around after a long day of handing free stuff to people who grab it out of your hands with nary a “thank you”. Even after that, the man could put a smile on my face- he works in comedy, it’s kinda his job. Well, it’s one of his 100. Step into the cliché spotlight, Dave!
Name/prefered pseudonym: Dave Herman
Borough and neighborhood: Queens, on the 7, in the land of cats and Korean churches
How are you a New York cliché? I refuse to settle down with a “real” job to the chagrin of parents and the guy who’s gonna do my taxes.
They say no one who lives in New York is actually from New York. Where are you from? Toms River, New Jersey. The Jersey Shore. Yes, there, and I’m reclaiming the name!
Bloomberg is banishing you from NYC. You have 24 hours before you have to pack up and leave for ever. How do you spend them? Bloomberg is banishing me, too? [The mayor recently banished the selling of soda beverages over 16oz.] I want to live here forever, so I suppose I’d spend that time getting another identity and plastic surgery so I can still be around. Who’d wanna ban me!
What restaurant/bar you keep going back to, even though you’ve been meaning to try a dozen others? Panera Bread. Racking up those rewards, son! It’s on 29th and 7th, conveniently close to the UCB and PIT improv training centers. (I do comedy.) The other day when I went inside, I happened to see a bunch of comedy people. UCB writers sitting in the back, another UCB intern. My friends and I were there looking over the first cut of a sketch. And then when I left, I saw some former co-workers of mine meeting up before they did their show at Triple Crown next door!
Hot dogs or pizza?
Pizza! Two Bros [which sells slices for just $1]! But if you can’t decide, the double hot dog/pizza shop at 23rd and Lex has both of em. Hot dogs consist of a mish-mash of who know’s what’s in there. And with pizza it’s way easier to tell what those ingredients are. The Two Bros on 46th between 5th and 6th has a meat lovers pizza. And the Two Bros on 38th and 6th has this amazing chicken and rice $2 lunch special! The REAL tough question would be “hamburgers or pizza?” Then I’d go with burgers. Steak and Shake on 53rd and Broadway by the David Letterman Show, then Shake Shack and Five Guys.
Ever had a run-in with a celebrity (A-D List)? All the freakin time. Especially comedians, because I’m in the comedy community. I saw Judah Friendlander the other night. This week I saw Jon Stewart and Ashton Kutcher too, and last week I spotted Fred Armisen. In terms of meeting celebrities personally, since I’m active in the comedy community I see comics all the time after shows. And I used to do audience at SNL and intern at Colbert, so I know some of those people too.
The other night I got delayed a half hour on my subway ride home due to track work. It was already late- 2am- so I was sitting on the train squeezed in between some wide sitting individuals when all of a sudden, the door at the end of the train opens and a women in her sixties steps out carrying cloth shopping bags, turns on her stereo, and starts dancing and singing to La Bamba! It was intrusive and annoying, but hilarious all the more because of how much she thought we wanted her to be there.
I like the New York City in Fifth Element because it has a lot of bright colors. A lot of other futuristic cities are dark, like in Blade Runner or Total Recall.
Plug something! Be it something you are involved in, your significant other/roommate/cat is involved in, or just something you think is extra-special going on in NYC. I’m working 100 jobs this year in NYC! Follow along at www.100jobs1year.com
Thanks, Dave, for being part of this feature! I’m working at NYComicCon this weekend, I wonder if I’ll see you there!
Yep, I’m geeking out to the max all weekend. Should be even crazier than last time. Happy weekend everyone! I have my fingers crossed that I’ve found an apartment, that life will be less hectic next week, that I will write. No promises, but here’s hoping
*a woman
100 jobs in a year? Wow. And I thought I was a workaholic. 🙂 He should write a book about his work experiences.