Well, the Holidaze are officially upon us, and what that means is ‘tis the season to get wasted for free. Yay! NYC-based independent PR firm, Girlie Action (named after a line in the Rolling Stones’ arguably most-famous song, “Satisfaction”) has been representing cutting edge bands, artists and trendy products for as long as I’ve been writing in NYC, so it was nice to be included on the invite list for their holiday party, which took place last night. The location for this seasonal shindig was the Wired pop-up gadget store on Broadway at (positively) Fourth Street: former home to the late, great Tower Records. I haven’t been in that space since Tower was forced out of business a million years ago by people who think all music should be free. With cold beers and salty snacks in hand, Geoffrey and I wandered the three level store – a consumerists’ winter Wonderland of futuristic techno gadgetry and hipster accoutrements – with a mixed sense of awe and nostalgic chagrin. Because, wow, wasn’t Tower Records just the best?

Speaking of hipsters, the place was lousy with them. Fortunately, G and I escaped to the safe haven of the Wired Store’s comparatively empty lower level (once home to CD singles, magazines and classical music) where we dodged the flailing appendages of drunken geeks playing interactive video games, and caught a showing of IMAX: Deep Sea (in 3D!) on Blue Ray, which was just insane. We were also able to snack on a selection of assorted delicious cupcakes courtesy of the Cupcake Corral while enjoying a DJ set by Nomi Ruiz. As we dashed off into the cold night so I could get home in time to watch Top Chef All Stars, I would have to say that our time spent in the Wired Store was a fine, festive kick off to the holiday season. Thanks, Girlie Action!