Fellow Imbiber Paisan!

Yep, that's right! I'm The Imbiber's publicist of the week.

A few months ago, I met a gentleman by the name of Dan Dunn at an event in NYC. He used to write for am New York and informed me that he's currently employed with Playboy magazine, simply known as "The Imbiber" (AKA freelance nightlife columnist / public menace). He was with smoking hot females (RIGHT: ahh, the Playboy connection) at the time and seemed unphased by the free booze - almost as if he's notably accustomed to this practice in large metropolises. We had a few cocktails, exchanged business cards and parted ways.

I followed up with Dan a few days later and sent him booze to conduct a vodka review. A few weeks later, he posted the review. I thanked him for his time and editorial consideration and parted ways.

It’s important to note, after researching and reading a bit about Dan, that he has one of the best jobs in America – he’s a professional drinker. Or in his terms, “Many people drink…few do it professionally!” And he’s absolutely right. In support of a great cause, I signed up for his weekly newsletter (LEFT), ‘The Imbiber,’ and periodically checked theimbiber.net for articles, reviews and commentary.

Just recently, I was selected as The Imbiber’s “Publicist of the Week.” (BOTTOM RIGHT) How cool is that?

One response that I feel I should defend is:

• If you could have any famous person in history as a drinking buddy, who would it be and why? I responded “Leonardo DiCaprio” for three reasons. 1) He's a great actor, 2) He seems like a cool dude, and 3) I just watch Body of Lies with my girlfriend and thought that it was a kick-ass movie. Also, he was sick in Gangs of New York, Blood Diamond and The Departed.

Bottom line, thanks Dan! Let me know when you’re in NYC, we’ll grab a few drinks. First round is on me…

Here’s some information about Dan (taken from playboy.com):

Dan Dunn, the country's preeminent rockstar booze writer, is a knowledgeable (if slightly wobbly) fellow, who is a former staff writer for the Emmy-nominated TV show Talk Soup and freelance joke contributor for SNL’s “Weekend Update.” His critically acclaimed semi-fictional memoir, Nobody Likes a Quitter (and other reasons to avoid rehab), was published in November 2007 by Perseus Books.

Dan’s trenchant writing on sprits has appeared in numerous high-profile publications including GQ, USA Today, Maxim, the Los Angeles Times, LA Style, Entertainment Weekly, Hosiery & Underwear Magazine (seriously!) and of course, Playboy.

Dan lives in Santa Monica, CA, with his many doubts and insecurities.

Odd Rincon Photo Shoot

It was my third time visiting Rincon, Puerto Rico and I must admit: it was one of the best. The sun was hot, the ocean was warm, the food was succulent, the waves were pumping, and not a cloud in sight. We stayed at the Villa Confresi, which, to my delight, was perfect in everyway a hotel could serve. Our first full day in Rincon, we decided to travel north towards a beautiful beach called “Wilderness” (Aguadilla). This is a “locals-only” type location; thank God for our travel guide and local Puertorican, Jose, who happens to know secret spots.

Upon arrival at Wilderness, there were a few locals drinking beer, riding dirt bikes and quads [another sport/hobby that I love] and another couple taking racy photos. After a second glance at the couple, I pondered just what the heck they were doing. Later on, we [the 'Awesome Foursome'] checked our photos and discussed the possibilities of this odd photo shoot.

Here’s the download: the man in the white tank top was the “photographer” and the women wearing a bathing suit and 3” heels was the “model.” She was an amateur model and wanted to make it big as a porn star. So her brother, or fellow Puertorican amigo, grabbed a tiny digital camera, went to the nearest “sexy” spot and started shooting. They didn’t have a care in the world who was watching. So, thanks to them, I snapped a photo of my own. Enjoy!

Satellite view of Wilderness.

Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)

I'm a random book shopper.
On Tuesday afternoon, during my lunch break, I strolled over to Barnes & Noble book store (18th Street & 5th Avenue) and turned my "law of attraction" switch on. Walking around the store aimlessly, I came across the "General Psychology" section and noticed "Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)," by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson. In light of the many political scandals, celebrity affairs [aka "Tiger Factor"] and fall-from-fames, this book seemed particularly relevant. Additionally, since I'm in the business of public relations and crisis communications is something we encounter and consult our clients on, I wanted to further understand (on a psychological level) "self-deception - how it works, the harm it can cause, and how we can overcome it."

Only 30 pages into the book, I picked up on a great tactic used (as an example) by Benjamin Franklin to win over someone who simply disliked him:

"...While serving in the Pennsylvania legislature, Franklin was disturbed by the opposition and animosity of a fellow legislator. So he set out to win him over. He didn't do it, he wrote, by "paying any servile respect to him" - that is, by doing the other man a favor - but by inducing his target to do a favor for him - loaning him a rare book from his library:"

He sent it immediately and I returned it in about a week with another note, expressing strongly my sense of the favor. When we next met in the House, he spoke to me (which he had never done before), and with great civility; and he ever after manifested a readiness to serve me on all occasions, so that we became great friends, and our friendship continued to his death. This is another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned, which says, "He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another than he whom you yourself have obliged."

DOWNLOAD:
What a powerful, yet simple tactic to alter another's attitude and beliefs. Try it out, ask your enemy (opponent) for a favor. By reaching out and asking a favor, you're essentially instilling trust and respect in them. In turn, they may end up trusting and respecting you.

Black Entertainment Diaries

I like to bartend. I enjoy drinks that are out of the ordinary and tasty. I was an official bartender in late 2007 during my unemployment, FYI. Side note: If you're ever in Rincon, Puerto Rico you must try the Pirate Special (pronounced PIR-AT-TAY) at the Villa Cofresi...it's simply awesome and served in a fresh coconut. The vodka & soda or gin & tonic cocktails do get a bit boring.

I was lucky enough to partake in a bartending 101 course with the folks from Sobieski Vodka a few months back at the SoHo House. They hired a mixology guru to teach us the basics and then allow time for experimentation. That's when I came up with the "Mark Anthony" martini, cleverly named after my first and middle name (for lack of something better at the time). That same week I volunteered to bartend at a media gathering in my office for Sobieski Vodka. There I met one of my biggest fans, Danica Daniel, editor-in-chief for Right On! and Black Beat magazines.

Danica wanted something sweet, given it was the afternoon. So I whipped up my newly created cocktail and she loved it. She enjoyed it soo much that she featured it in the Premiere Issue of Black Entertainment Diaries with a small bio sidebar. Check it out: