Happy Halloween Everyone!

Dopey Pumpkins, originally uploaded by La Pauline.

I'll be taking snaps tonight at the China Club, but be sure to bob for many apples.

How About Some Flattering Photos of Me? Yes? Yes!

It's Tuesday and my week is so busy that I don't have much in the way of free time. Sure, there is work, but there is also Junior League, some photo assignments and fluffy cats to take care of.

Here are some shots that I took of myself on Sunday morning, at 8:30 a.m.. when I was waiting for the train back in NYC. Gotta love early morning light.

La Pauline: Nightlife Photographer

A few days ago I saw a posting on Craigslist to take photos at some clubs here in NYC for AC Pass, a nightlife promoter. Given that I got a slick new Olympus SLR for my birthday (thanks Pop!) I figured I would earn some dough with it. It's the American way. Plus, taking photos is my bag, baby, so I also had a lot of fun.

I took over 200 shots for the promoter, but some of my favorites can be found here.

I headed over to the China Club around midnight, and immediately realized that Halloween in New York last for at least before October 31st. That said, there were some awesome costumes in the club, which made my job all the more interesting.

There were ghosts ans assorted goblins.


Storm troopers and members of the clergy.


Gladiators and Catholic school girls got along famously


These gals made sure no one got out of line


The other photog at the event


Everyone was really friendly


He left me for a go-go dancer, though.


The Wall of Fame at the China Club


Soon I had to head over to Myst, where there weren't as many costumes but everyone was looking pretty sharp.

Stylin', Profilin'


Lovin' the camera


Boo!


A Happy Clubgoer, 3:00 a.m.

What Happened to Bridezillas? An Essay In Videos

Bridezilla brides, originally uploaded by duncan arsenault.

A few years ago I turned on the Metro Channel in New York, which most of the time was just one huge infomercial for Steiner Sports Memorabelia, and saw the most curious thing: a show about wedding planning. But this wasn't just any kind of wedding planning, this was wedding planning for the rich in New York. It was told from the point of view of the planners, those thankless souls who know the ins and outs of florists and wedding venues across the isle of Manahatta. The show told a fascinating tale: how does New York's wealthy plan a wedding?

It was a great to watch, especially in you lived in NYC and could recognize landmarks. Anyone who watched the show remembers the crazy woman who lived in the Bronx, worked at a Clinique counter, thought she was a princess and quite literally spent her life savings on her wedding. The creepiest pairing was the dorky guy in music publishing and his off-the-boat Japanese wife, who didn't seem happy, or as if she even wanted to kiss him. I've always wondered if those two were still together.

The show faded away for a year or so and then reappeared on the WE Network, which made me quite happy. Who doesn't love a wedding?

Sadly, the WE Channel ruined the show. Instead of finding equally intriguing characters, it's as if they've been standing outside midwestern David's Bridal stores and offering a reality show to everyone who walked out. It's become the Jerry Springer of wedding shows, which is a shame.

For instance, the show did an entire montage about this woman, who is otherwise quite pretty, cursing like a sailor at everyone around her, including the flower girls.


I realize not everyone was meant to be on television, but why would you want to be broadcast berating all your friends about weight loss, when they all seem to be in pretty good shape?


This clip features an inflatable penis. Need I say more?


My point, is that just like designer handbags, perfectly good brands are being ruined for the sake of mass market appeal. Bridezillas used to be a cool show that took you into a world of posh weddings. Now, it takes you into the world of McWeddings. How is that innovative?

Mike Tyson's Brunch Out!

Just when I thought I had nothing to add to the internets today, Meth Minute released a new cartoon.

Tonight, I dedicate, "You Light Up My Life" to the Meth Minute.

Mike Tyson's Brunch Out - The Meth Minute 39

Add to My Profile | More Videos

La Pauline: The Voice of Editorial Reason

I have a featured column today on Editor & Publisher about how web editors may need to become self-promoters. Check it out:


Web Editors As Self-Promoters: The Future of News?

Monday = Orange Cat Pics!

, originally uploaded by something.from.nancy.

I love orange cats, especially orange Persians. Here's a good one for your Monday afternoon.

Livin' Suite! In Toronto!

As most of you know, I was in Toronto for a few days covering the Online News Association conference. It was a lot of fun, I met some great people and I bumped into some old co-workers. Good times, good times.

The trip to Toronto started out pretty well, despite the fact that I had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. for a 7:15 a.m. flight. (I like getting things done early in the morning.) First, I hopped in a cab that literally got me to LaGuardia Airport in 15 minutes because he was driving 80 miles an hour across the BQE. On one hand I feared for my life, but on the other hand I admired his skill. I tipped well.

While checking in, I was offered an upgrade to business class for $45. I actually passed, because the flight was only about an hour long and why do you need business class for an hour? This proved to be a good decision, because there were less than 50 people on the 737 to Toronto. It was like flying in 1995! Most of us had entire benches to ourselves. Business class, however, was chock full of everyone who took the upgrade. Suckas!

Once in Toronto I made the mistake of accepting a ride from a guy who claimed to be a cab driver. (I know, I know...I was sleep deprived.) There was another ONA gal with me and we thought we were going to a cab, and then we were in the parking garage and getting into this guy's minivan. Da Dum!

For a second I was convinced that I was walking right into my own episode of Unsolved Mysteries, but the guy was just a nice local trying to make a few bucks as a gypsy cab. He got my new friend and I to our respective hotels. She got off at the Sheraton Centre, where the conference was being held, and I was going a little farther out to a smaller, but cheaper hotel,(The Clarion Hotel) since I was told the Sheraton was sold out.

This is when I realized that the people who run Expedia.com are morons. I booked the hotel through Expedia, who told me that the Clarion Hotel was one mile out of downtown. It's not. It's three miles. As a journalist, I have little patience for inaccuracies. On top of that, the hotel was in a dicey part of town, complete with pawnshops and what I'm pretty sure were halfways houses for men who had made far too many mistakes in life.

Calls were made to Expedia and I was told there was nothing available, anywhere in Toronto because of all the conference that week. I didn't believe it -- Toronto's a big place -- and at one point I actually said, "What about the Intercontinental? You're telling me that the bridal suite at the Intercontinental is booked on a Wednesday?"

I was then put on hold, calls were made and a half hour later I landed a suite at the Sheraton Centre for Thursday and Friday night. On Wednesday I would have to stay in the Toronto ghetto. Fair enough.

Of course, since I got in so early, I couldn't check in right away. I decided to walk around Toronto a bit. Oh, and while walking around, I saw no less than five other hotels that Expedia never even mentioned. Punks.

Me, on three hours of sleep after trying to talk sense into Expedia.com. All I wanted was a proper nap. And maybe lunch.


One of the first things I saw was this "Aboriginal Training Center" not far from my little hotel. I have no idea what it is, but since Toronto is such a diverse city, it didn't surprise me at all.


Downtown Toronto is actually very cool. There was tons of shopping (which I never got to partake in) lots of college students and plenty to do.

Toronto has a subway! Who knew?


These little Coffee Time shops were everywhere, even by my cheap hotel.


After lunch at the PickleBarrell, I checked in to the Clarion Hotel. This is not how I roll. Later that night I would learn that the heat didn't work! Klassy!


You call this a mini bar?


Eventually I napped and cleaned up for a reception. Much better.


Caution: Journalists boozing.


The funniest thing about the whole conference was that if an event was listed as a "Cocktail Hour" it was literally 60 minutes long. The Sheraton staff took the booze away from us so quickly it became comical. On more than one occaison I heard people say, "They realize this is a journalism conference, right?"

The next day I was all business, since I had to attend the sessions and panels and write about them. I like this photo of me, because it my Pauline! Serious Journalist! face. Also, I kind of look like a brunette Chloe Sevingy.


There were other conferences this past week as well. This one sounds fascinating.


Eventually I checked into my new suite at the Sheraton, which was a 150% upgrade from the ghetto. Who says journalists can't live large?

The living room, where I did all my writing.


View from the desk.


The most amazing bed ever, which I actually spent very little time in.


Bedroom


The bathroom didn't impress me all that much.


View from the suite at night.


My room was great, but even with the view and the space, it seems that the Sheraton couldn't install properly working alarm clocks. Mine didn't go off and I almost missed my flight back to New York. I made it with 20 minutes to spare. And yes, I have terrible air rage.

New Meth Minute! Dog Video Dating

These weekly Meth Minutes are becoming one of my favorite things on the internets.

Still in Canada, So Read Some Stuff I Wrote

Here is an essay I wrote for The Simon which wonders why women wear shirts that make them look pregnant, even when they're not.

I'm covering the Online News Association conference for E&P. Here is my first piece, the mainbar, for all you journo types. Isn't it fun to see me writing straight news for once? Ratta tat tat!

Change And Opportunity Stressed at Online News Conference

Another about a panel about covering a tradegy.

ONA Participants Explore Games -- As Editorial Tool

O, Canada! Greetings From Toronto!

TORONTO as I see, originally uploaded by عleem.

I'm in Toronto for the rest of the week for the Online News Association Conference. I had some hotel snafus this morning, which have been ironed out.

Time for a nap and then a welcome recpetion later.

If you're a fan/stalker in Toronto, feel free to track me down.

New York Junior League's Homecoming!

Provisional Group Five (and friends!) danced and carried on on Friday night with 500 of our nearest dearest at the New York Junior League.

The whole set can be found here.

Before any event, you have to pre-bar.


Shiny, happy people with fierce blow-outs.


Julie Anne and Susan


I was standing in the middle of the party when Carey ran up to me. She's also native to Norwalk, CT, like me. You may remember her from The Dirty 30 Weekend. She's a Provisional this fall as well.


Meg et Moi Make Love to the Camera


Oh yes, there was champagne


Crowd shot


Dancing makes everyone happy!


At any event, be sure to befriend the photographer.


Party Girl


Showing her Junior League Spirit


I envy people who still look good at the end of the night.


Me, not so much.