So another birthday has come and gone (Friday was my Birthday and naturally I will just let you wonder how old/young I am )
Jasmine and I spent most of the day at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, at their Spa. Jasmine has never had a facial or anything of the sort, so it was funny to see her experience it all. The service was great, but their techniques were half ass. Not worth the 600 euros is cost, at all. They rushed us, left Jasmine's face a mess and didn't have time to do my manicure (had to do it at home). Just warning you if you were thinking of spending money on the place.. The lady who does my facials since 10 years at the Europa Center is the best, by far. I guess I shouldn't have cheated on her 🙂
The last few days have been very eventful as my friend Arturo Vega (art director for the Ramones) has been in town. He just turned 60 but does NOT act it or look it. A youthful Libra, like myself, heh heh. I have known him since I was 15 years old. When I first started dating Joey Ramone. Anyways, Arturo is in town for some art exhibition he is taking part in. He designed EVERY single Ramones album/cd cover. He invented THAT Ramones symbol most people know, in fact, he even got it tattoed on his back:
< Arturo Vega
Some pics of us over the years…..
^ 2002 NYC
< 2004
I have one of us together when I was just 16 and I just tried to find it, but it will take days to find that one pic. When I do find it, I will post it as it's hilarious.
Below are some pictures I took the other day, showing Arturo around Berlin.
Arturo near the Sony Center, Potsdamer Platz
Jewish Monument near Brandenburger Tor ^
^ The typical Brandenburger Tor (gate) pose 🙂
Artie loved this building with the big D on it ^ . I am pretty sure it's an Art related/performance hall- building, but don't quote me on that.
We stood in line for ages to get to the top of the Reichtag (like the White House of Germany). The view was nice, I just wish we got there earlier, as it was kinda dark as you can see..
Unfortunately they were cleaning that glass dome, which you can normally walk around, literally. There is a winding path inside that you can scale, but we arrived at an awkward time, as they were vacuuming and mopping.
The middle of the dome, looks so futuristic ^
View from the top of Reichtag ^
No trip to Berlin is complete without a stop at Tacheles, the broke down building that squatters took over after the wall fell in 1989. They took over, making it into a bizarre art museum of sort. One artist, Tim Roelofs, is so successful, he has his own, rather permanent, shop on the 3rd floor. I even bought a piece from there, for my Dad for Christmas (keep that info on the down low 🙂
No, this is NOT the piece I bought for my Dad. But I find it entertaining and thought it was worth sharing.. (also by Tim Roelofs)
There are many freaks who live and/or hanging out in Tacheles. Never a dull moment. This girl from Sweden for example, has the longest Dreads I have ever seen on a chick. She was asking me if I had any weed to share. Didn't have any on me, lol, but I gave her some spare change for posing for me and to help in her search.
Be happy she has her mouth closed. Her tooth (and I mean TOOTH, not teeth) was rather disturbing.
Arturo was not impressed much by Tacheles like most people I drag there. He said he has seen similar/better/worse places in Holland for example. I guess at his age, and the fact he hung with the Ramones for over 25 years, you pretty much have seen it all. The Ramones signed their first ever record contract in his kitchen. He has pictures of that in his flat, which is like a Ramones museum.
Speaking of Ramones museums, our friend Flo, who is probably the biggest Ramones fan I have ever met, runs the Ramones Museum in Berlin. Arturo has been hanging out there every day since he's been there. I will go and film there tomorrow..
Click HERE to see the museums myspace page..
I gathered together with some friends at White Trash, the night after my birthday….just to have some laughs, no big woop…
Arturo talking to Paualo and Martina (one of my best friends & also a Libra 🙂 ^
Me ^ wearing the "DD" charms (in the usa, people call me 'Double D') I bought myself for my birthday. ^ Daniel givin' us the Dr. Evil pose.
Sansi, my friend and drummer and his lovely girlfriend Chrissy (also a Libra) and Bjoern, an old friend of mine since many years (who sometimes also acts as an agent for me).
It was fun, but after 3 hours of White Trash, I had to bolt with Freaky and Arturo to sing some karaoke. The first time since my tonsillectomy one month ago. My pipes are in working order again, it was so fun to sing again, and finally Arturo got to witness the madness 🙂
x
Art work by Tim Roelofs ^ (notice the "woman" to the right holding her penis) Ahem, welcome to Berlin.