A bath at the museum anyone?

The only thing missing from the Carsten Holler: Experience at the New Museum is the smell of corn dogs. Thank you Carsten Holler. You can literally slide through the museum starting on the fourth floor, have your retinas fried on the second by flickering lights and take off way more than your shoes on the third for an out-of-body experience in the sensory-deprivation pool entitled the Giant Psycho Tank. Even though the policy for the tank is one person at a time, a shower was mandatory, the water salt, I passed on this experience since sensory deprivation is said to lead to bizarre thoughts. And quite clearly, I do not need any more of those.

A perfect start to the New Year.

The Mercer's Resident Pillow Fluffer ensures no fruitcake, turkey basters or New Year's Resolutions have slipped through the cracks in the sofa.

Barney's 40% Off Sale.

My very first thought is, "How many more people are going to touch Barney's door during their sale season?" followed by "How many more people are going to touch Barney's door during their sale season?" Then there is the trying-on-the-clothes-part. Have you ever noticed how disrespectful people can be to a $5,000 plus evening dress when sales madness takes over?

Bare hands okay if ...

I watched The Cheeseman for three hours and he did not once touch anything he wasn't supposed to. Like his eyes, ears, nose or nether region. Those are places others unfortunately do venture -- even with food prep gloves on. Kudos to The Cheeseman and his co-workers at Buca. If I witness an infraction at a restaurant I ask for the food to be remade. Obviously this only works with an open concept design.

Hygiene at the Halekulani.

To a vegetarian this is a well-handled crime scene. To a hygiene hunter this is a well-handled piece of prime rib and a thoughtfully fondled bun.

Why Hygiene Hunt?

This is one question I am often asked. Followed up, at times, with, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I prefer to be proactive with my health. This includes a good diet, exercise, proper handwashing and not walking into traps set by others who are less hygiene focused. Think booger on doorknobs, feces on mobile phones and God-knows-what on gas pump handles. As soon as people hear of studies they freak out. Why not be constantly vigilant instead? And no, not in a freakish way. You can leave that to me. Boards of Health exist for a reason. According the Canadian Patient Safety Institute proper handwashing is key to infection control and avoidable deaths. Peace out. Just please don't try to shake my hand.

Pizza Scissors.

Not to be confused with nose hair scissors.

How I fight the flu.

Instead of opting for a flu shot, I increase my Kale Shake intake by one, continue to avoid unprotected interaction with doorknobs and hold my breath for two months.

What a relief!

My freeze-dried raven IS allowed to dine with me.

Antipasti at Buca.

As long as it doesn't touch my glass, I can most certainly appreciate the view.

Vindicated.

"I wouldn't walk on this floor barefooted either," said one airport security guard to another after I was granted permission to walk through the metal detector with slippers on.

Better than a hypoallergenic pillow.

Kiki is so loveable she would likely let you rest your head on her.

Green equals clean.

The greener your surroundings, the cleaner the air you breath. If you live on Salt Spring Island you have it made. AND, as if that was not blessing enough, you have this delightful bakery to encourage carb consumption.

How I like my vegetables.

Oddly enough I still bought my market vegetables from this vendor. Hey, as long as THAT does not come in contact with any of the produce, it is all cool.

Monster hand soap.

With the number of times I wash my hands this is the size of soap I need. Remember, soap and water -- when properly executed -- is better than hand sanitizer for eliminating germs.

A better trick than sit.

What they said.

Thankfully, Photoshop does not cause mild itching, stinging, redness or dryness in the area of application.

Defaced.

Tomorrow we go in for a much closer look at this annotated shop hoarding in SoHo.

Mercer Hotel takes no chances.

A vigilant Mercer employee ensures there are no leftover fashionistas from Vogue Fashion's Night Out. They also prove gloves are always in style.

Fashion's Night After.

Vogue Fashion's Night Out brings the concept of High/Low to the streets of New York. Courtesy of litterbugs.