Tonight is my last night in NYC. It's a little bittersweet. I'm just beginning to understand the City, where to go, when to go and who to go with. If I had the opportunity I would stay a few more months - or a year...or 5. But only for selfish reasons. I completely know that I am doing exactly what God wants me to do in moving to Austin and marrying Gerald. But if He sends us back to NYC...or to Chicago, or Deluth I'm ok with it. Just send me where you want me. I have learned God the Father this year -how He can be very nearly silent and ever so present.
Also, I had a lobster bisque for the first time today. It was good. That's why I love NY - so many firsts. No matter my situation, I always felt it was ok to try something new because odds are, in some way, shape or form, everyone else was too.
Overall, I'm glad I lived here. I've learned so much about myself...I need community.
About God...He's bigger than I realize
About MTA...They can go to hell.
Yeah...I said it....
$5 if you can tell me what G-T-FOOB means ;)
Showing posts with label NYC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NYC. Show all posts
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Nessie
I live on the Orange Line - the F train to be specific. Sometimes I call it the Funky Train. Sometimes I call it other things that aren't so nice...I have reason to do so.
It never, never, never, EVER runs regularly on the weekends and on weekdays I usually end up standing outside waiting for it while some seasonal extreme ruins my hair, makeup and/or shoes. Then, when I finally get on the train I'm reminded of how old it is. The seats are this really groovy yellow/orange color color that forces you to imagine what may or may not have been smeared on them since 1973. Once I sit down I'm reminded of the rules:
1. No smoking
2. No transmitting brainwaves to other passengers
3. No playing of the boombox
see for yourself...
Just when I was going to light up a cigarette and play my newest Run DMC tape...shucks!
But a few months ago I saw something really surprising on the F Line. The new R142 model train (I only know this because I Googled it). It looked like they were testing service because the train was entirely empty, but my heart still skipped a beat - the F line might actually be getting an upgrade??
Let me tell you what is so great about model R142. First of all, it has an automated PA system which announces the current and next stop in a very polite lady robot voice - kinda like Rosie from The Jetsons. The alternative, found on older models, is a disgruntled MTA worker who's been trapped underground for the past 6 hours and may or may not feel feel the need to tell you where you are, where you're going or if the station attendant has forced it to make express stops. Second, it's air conditioned always! Third, it's well lit, so you can actually see the book or news paper you or your neighbor is reading. Fourth, it's a smoother, quieter ride. You don't hear the breaks squeal or grind, you take corners without feeling like you're on a rickety, old, wooden roller coaster. Fifth, the model is featured on EVERY OTHER LINE EXCEPT FOR THE ORANGE LINE. One can't help but feel like they were handed the short end of the stick. Longstory short, riding the new model train makes getting from A to B less of an annoyance.
So when I saw it again last week on the Brooklyn-bound F line (as I was headed to Manhattan), full of laughing, smiling people, I rubbed my eyes and blinked. Could I really be seeing NY Subway system's very own version of the Loch Ness Monster? Was this Nessie??? It gave me a little hope, but I considered it a fluke. And even if it was running on the F line, there was probably only one train to be shared amongst the millions of riders and the odds of me being one of them was slim to none.
Then I had my second sighting! Of course it was heading in the opposite direction - but still! Proof of better commutes to come! Then a few days later, I saw it again. This time pulling away from the station just as I was walking up. Could my wildest dreams be coming true?
So tonight, while reading and sulking because I missed my stop to go to K-Mart (classy), I heard the familiar click-clacking of the train and was pleasantly surprised when I looked up the tunnel to see a red light beaming at me. It was Nessie!!! I stood on the platform in shock as she opened her doors, welcoming me in. I stepped in, found a seat and began reading, gazing up only momentarily to view the automated progress tracker - Ditmas Ave in 8 more stops! It was like floating on a cloud...to Brooklyn.
What a lovely Sunday surprise! And aside from the old creepy man staring at me, the ride was pure bliss.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Me & My 8th Grade Self
Toward the end of elementary school I began developing crushes like most other girls. My first was harmless. His name was Courtney. He was very much like me - brown eyes, a little silly and a bit over-weight...
Just a bit...
After realizing that my grand gestures of love and devotion were not working (i.e. wearing my mom's foundation, wearing softee's shorts under my uniform skirt and mastering tae kwon do), I moved on...and up. Seeing as how I was a teenage, African-American female living in the suburbs circa 1996 the obvious choice for me was Tyson Beckford. He was tall, dark, handsome and therefore justifiable. And even though I had convinced myself that he and Tyra Banks were dating (they had to be. At the time there were an outrageous number of Planet Hollywood's opening worldwide - they were bound to run into each other), I still loved him and was willing to watch their alleged romance blossom from afar.
As the years rolled on and I went from nerdy RHS freshman to a Senior Stingerette, my love for Tyson waned and a full moon for N*SYNC and Abercrombie & Fitch rose.
But you never forget your first love...
And that is why when I went to my very first NYC Fashion Week show I nearly shat myself when Tyson STRUTTED HIS FINE SELF ONTO THE RUNWAY!! See video below:
The man is dang near 40 and doesn't look a day over 25. The entire crowd went wild when he came out for the first time, which leads me to believe I was not the only girl to have a crush on the man...shucks...
Either way the entire night was fun and we ended up partying at The Plaza Hotel with industry big-wigs. Even Solonge Knowles stopped by to drop a few tunes (to which I busted some of my signature dance moves).
Overall it was a great way to kick off Fashion Week!!
Just a bit...
After realizing that my grand gestures of love and devotion were not working (i.e. wearing my mom's foundation, wearing softee's shorts under my uniform skirt and mastering tae kwon do), I moved on...and up. Seeing as how I was a teenage, African-American female living in the suburbs circa 1996 the obvious choice for me was Tyson Beckford. He was tall, dark, handsome and therefore justifiable. And even though I had convinced myself that he and Tyra Banks were dating (they had to be. At the time there were an outrageous number of Planet Hollywood's opening worldwide - they were bound to run into each other), I still loved him and was willing to watch their alleged romance blossom from afar.
As the years rolled on and I went from nerdy RHS freshman to a Senior Stingerette, my love for Tyson waned and a full moon for N*SYNC and Abercrombie & Fitch rose.
But you never forget your first love...
And that is why when I went to my very first NYC Fashion Week show I nearly shat myself when Tyson STRUTTED HIS FINE SELF ONTO THE RUNWAY!! See video below:
The man is dang near 40 and doesn't look a day over 25. The entire crowd went wild when he came out for the first time, which leads me to believe I was not the only girl to have a crush on the man...shucks...
Either way the entire night was fun and we ended up partying at The Plaza Hotel with industry big-wigs. Even Solonge Knowles stopped by to drop a few tunes (to which I busted some of my signature dance moves).
Overall it was a great way to kick off Fashion Week!!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
A Sign of Things to Come
If you've ever spoken to me for 10 minutes or longer you know that I love the movies "You've Got Mail" and "When Harry Met Sally" because they are two great stories about finding love in New York, a city filled to the brim with creeps (trust me!). While my true love is in a far off land, I believe I have found a prospect to fill the void. That's right...a new love has come my way...
Fall!
It is now the middle of August and I can't wait for a season that is actually negligible from the previous to reveal itself before my eyes. I look forward stepping out onto the city streets and seeing my breath materialize and then disappear just as quickly and bundling up so tight I can hardly move my arms, then arriving at my destination and releasing a deep, heavy sigh as if to confirm the near freezing temperatures.
I'm so pumped about the Fall that I'll probably go out of my way to step on a leaf that looks particularly crunchy.
Fall!
It is now the middle of August and I can't wait for a season that is actually negligible from the previous to reveal itself before my eyes. I look forward stepping out onto the city streets and seeing my breath materialize and then disappear just as quickly and bundling up so tight I can hardly move my arms, then arriving at my destination and releasing a deep, heavy sigh as if to confirm the near freezing temperatures.
I'm so pumped about the Fall that I'll probably go out of my way to step on a leaf that looks particularly crunchy.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Real Adventures
It's been more than 2 weeks since my last post and I apologize for that. Internet at my apartment was out b/c of a storm in NY and then the power cord to my computer broke. But I'm back now and ready to update le blog.
When I left you last I was extremely bored in NYC. I went to work everyday and then home, rinsed and repeated. But my how things changed! Being in advertising in NY has PLENTY of perks, and I for one am not the kind of person to turn down free stuff (shoot, I still take cool pens when I find them), but for some reason these past 2 weeks have been stuffed to the brim with cool, semi-free stuff.
Where Soul Meets Body: There are rare moments in this gals life that actually cause me to get "dressed up" for anything. And due to the nature of my randomness "dressing up" can take on several different meanings. The media team at T3 has been really great at inviting me to all kinds of events around town and I can definitely say they are the ones keeping me from totally hating NY, Tuesday June 10 was no exception. The friendly folks at YAHOO! treated us to a concert in Brooklyn...DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE!!! It was awesome - and I even knew some songs. There was an extra ticket so I invited my roommate along for the fun. Typically I'm the girl who likes to run down to the front of the stage and be in the middle of all the action, but given the number of Chucks and skinny jeans down there I figured it'd be best for me and my BCBGs to chill in the back with some locally brewed beer. Toward the end of the night a storm started a-brewin'. It was seriously just like in The Wizard of Oz except I don't think Dorothy got a mouth full of dirt and grass at any point. I half expected to see a munchkin. The band announced that they were going to head out due to the monsoon-like nature of the storm and my fellow concert-goers and I followed suit. We made it to the subway just as the fattest raindrops in the history of man began to fall. ***NOTE*** This is the storm that took my internet and cable service out for a week.
First Fruits (of the Feminine Sort): Yet another advertising perk! The media team invited me along to this place called FemmeGems. It was awesome. We drank wine, ate sushi and quoted SNL while obsessing over our designs. My necklace was green and gold and really fancy if I do say so myself. After that, a co-worker and I went to a party hosted by WebMD. The party was just like you imagine an NY party to be, huge expensive loft, funky techno beats rockin in the background and a rooftop deck with amazing views of the city. There were even ladies giving manicures and back rubs. It was pretty close to crazy. And like any media hosted party, there were all kinds of WebMD-centric facts on the wall:
3 of 4 women use WebMD!
WebMD is AWESOME!
9 of 10 doctors consult WebMD when diagnosing their patients!
I made that last one up...Anyway, later in the night there was a drawing and I won a 3 month membership to this SWANK gym called Equinox. The website makes it look kinda like a brothel, but I hear it's actually very nice. Like seriously celeb-worthy. As soon as my membership at the YMCA is up, I'm upgrading...I'm gonna be so fly.
On my way out of the WebMD party I grabbed a parting gift...it had an iPod Shuffle in it. I gave it to my cousin because it matched her fingernail polish.
If You Like Pina Coladas!: Last Saturday I finally made use of the world's most elaborate picnic set. It was given to me by Rachael when I graduated from college. I love it and have been dying to use it for 2 years. When I suggested a day in the Central Park to my friend Taylor, she agreed. I told her I'd bring along my picnic set and we could pack it full with wine and other goodies. We also found out that the summer concert series was kicking off in the Park that afternoon and the first show was free. Our afternoon was going to be perfect!
I met Taylor in Union Square, grabbed some groceries, threw everything in my picnic cooler and headed uptown. We found a nice shaded spot in the park, called a friend to meet us and set up our spot. We figured since we could hear the music from where we were, there was no need to move later.
Then it came...the sprinkles...
At first it wasn't so bad, and considering we were under several trees we felt like we'd be able to wait it out. I prayed every few moments "Jesus, please don't ruin my Saturday." I wanted so badly to enjoy a Saturday with a friend and not have to spend another weekend in my room checking Facebook over and over.
Then there was thunder...
We entertained ourselves by laughing at the soaked concert goers and throwing olive pits into a bush about 10ft away while hollering things like "THREE POINTS!" and "NUTHIN' BUT NET!!". Two bottles of wine, a container of marinated olives and a wedge of cheese later the rain finally stopped. All three of us dripped back to the subway and headed home. Turns out Jesus didn't ruin my Saturday (not that He would've), He just had His own plans which were more fun and had a lot more laughs.
Wreckless Love: Gerald was offered an opportunity to help film a pilot for a reality television show (or something like that...I don't really understand all the details). As part of the filming, the cast and crew went to several different cities along the east coast...including NYC!!!!!! I was so happy to see Gerald! He said the minute they mentioned New York he said yes (LOVE HIM!!). We finally got to see each other after a month and a half of phone conversations. It was great. Tuesday night we hung out and had dinner with the cast and crew. Wednesday I needed to pack for my family reunion in Atlanta, so I had to be logical that night and say no to any hangouts.
He called me mid-day and said he got tickets to the Alicia Keys concert. I was so jealous!! Later that afternoon he called back and asked if I wanted to go. I said no...after all, I had to pack for Atlanta and I had to leave plenty of time to get to Newark. I wanted NO room for error in my first NYC solo airport experience. Can you blame me? He said he was glad that I was being "rational" (I'm usually the one saying "hey...you wanna go jump off some cliffs while we wait for your oil to be changed??"...something outlandish and a little crazy).
He called AGAIN and begged me to come. Why in the world was he encouraging me to be wreckless??? I had responsibilities and my mom would be really disappointed if I missed my flight to Atlanta.
I said yes anyway...I couldn't resist one last night with Gerald while he was in the city.
I met him at Madison Square Garden where he was waiting with VIP passes and our tickets. We stopped in the VIP room for a little bit, had a little grub and then went down to the concert. We had missed the opening act (Jordin Sparks & Ne-Yo...Rihanna even joined him for his last song!) but Gerald assured me that we had great seats. I asked the usher where to go; he pointed and said "walk down those stairs and go all the way to the stage". I nearly pooped myself. Part of me thought "surely this man is joking". After we got to the stairs I asked another usher, she said "go down these stairs and all the way to the stage". WHAT!!! I asked a third usher "You'll need to talk to that man next to the stage". HOLY CRAP!!!! At this rate I was sure I was going to be able to smell Alicia's breath. Our seats were RIGHT NEXT TO THE STAGE! I could've reached out and touched it had it not been for Ronaldo the security guard.
See...blockin!!!
I still got some great pics though! :)
After the concert we went to Times Square and the The Empire State Building, which is really frightening once you think about how high it really is.
Next time I'll tell you all about my family reunion, my summer book club (there's only one member) and my best friend (hint, he's plastic and can be kinda dirty)...
When I left you last I was extremely bored in NYC. I went to work everyday and then home, rinsed and repeated. But my how things changed! Being in advertising in NY has PLENTY of perks, and I for one am not the kind of person to turn down free stuff (shoot, I still take cool pens when I find them), but for some reason these past 2 weeks have been stuffed to the brim with cool, semi-free stuff.
Where Soul Meets Body: There are rare moments in this gals life that actually cause me to get "dressed up" for anything. And due to the nature of my randomness "dressing up" can take on several different meanings. The media team at T3 has been really great at inviting me to all kinds of events around town and I can definitely say they are the ones keeping me from totally hating NY, Tuesday June 10 was no exception. The friendly folks at YAHOO! treated us to a concert in Brooklyn...DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE!!! It was awesome - and I even knew some songs. There was an extra ticket so I invited my roommate along for the fun. Typically I'm the girl who likes to run down to the front of the stage and be in the middle of all the action, but given the number of Chucks and skinny jeans down there I figured it'd be best for me and my BCBGs to chill in the back with some locally brewed beer. Toward the end of the night a storm started a-brewin'. It was seriously just like in The Wizard of Oz except I don't think Dorothy got a mouth full of dirt and grass at any point. I half expected to see a munchkin. The band announced that they were going to head out due to the monsoon-like nature of the storm and my fellow concert-goers and I followed suit. We made it to the subway just as the fattest raindrops in the history of man began to fall. ***NOTE*** This is the storm that took my internet and cable service out for a week.
First Fruits (of the Feminine Sort): Yet another advertising perk! The media team invited me along to this place called FemmeGems. It was awesome. We drank wine, ate sushi and quoted SNL while obsessing over our designs. My necklace was green and gold and really fancy if I do say so myself. After that, a co-worker and I went to a party hosted by WebMD. The party was just like you imagine an NY party to be, huge expensive loft, funky techno beats rockin in the background and a rooftop deck with amazing views of the city. There were even ladies giving manicures and back rubs. It was pretty close to crazy. And like any media hosted party, there were all kinds of WebMD-centric facts on the wall:
3 of 4 women use WebMD!
WebMD is AWESOME!
9 of 10 doctors consult WebMD when diagnosing their patients!
I made that last one up...Anyway, later in the night there was a drawing and I won a 3 month membership to this SWANK gym called Equinox. The website makes it look kinda like a brothel, but I hear it's actually very nice. Like seriously celeb-worthy. As soon as my membership at the YMCA is up, I'm upgrading...I'm gonna be so fly.
On my way out of the WebMD party I grabbed a parting gift...it had an iPod Shuffle in it. I gave it to my cousin because it matched her fingernail polish.
If You Like Pina Coladas!: Last Saturday I finally made use of the world's most elaborate picnic set. It was given to me by Rachael when I graduated from college. I love it and have been dying to use it for 2 years. When I suggested a day in the Central Park to my friend Taylor, she agreed. I told her I'd bring along my picnic set and we could pack it full with wine and other goodies. We also found out that the summer concert series was kicking off in the Park that afternoon and the first show was free. Our afternoon was going to be perfect!
I met Taylor in Union Square, grabbed some groceries, threw everything in my picnic cooler and headed uptown. We found a nice shaded spot in the park, called a friend to meet us and set up our spot. We figured since we could hear the music from where we were, there was no need to move later.
Then it came...the sprinkles...
At first it wasn't so bad, and considering we were under several trees we felt like we'd be able to wait it out. I prayed every few moments "Jesus, please don't ruin my Saturday." I wanted so badly to enjoy a Saturday with a friend and not have to spend another weekend in my room checking Facebook over and over.
Then there was thunder...
We hastily threw everything back in the picnic bag and tried to make it to the subway before it began to pour. We had no luck and were forced to set up camp at the corner of 72 & Madison Ave under the awning at the Ralph Lauren store - it was very taboo.
***NOTE*** The extra clean sidewalks and gutters
We entertained ourselves by laughing at the soaked concert goers and throwing olive pits into a bush about 10ft away while hollering things like "THREE POINTS!" and "NUTHIN' BUT NET!!". Two bottles of wine, a container of marinated olives and a wedge of cheese later the rain finally stopped. All three of us dripped back to the subway and headed home. Turns out Jesus didn't ruin my Saturday (not that He would've), He just had His own plans which were more fun and had a lot more laughs.
Wreckless Love: Gerald was offered an opportunity to help film a pilot for a reality television show (or something like that...I don't really understand all the details). As part of the filming, the cast and crew went to several different cities along the east coast...including NYC!!!!!! I was so happy to see Gerald! He said the minute they mentioned New York he said yes (LOVE HIM!!). We finally got to see each other after a month and a half of phone conversations. It was great. Tuesday night we hung out and had dinner with the cast and crew. Wednesday I needed to pack for my family reunion in Atlanta, so I had to be logical that night and say no to any hangouts.
He called me mid-day and said he got tickets to the Alicia Keys concert. I was so jealous!! Later that afternoon he called back and asked if I wanted to go. I said no...after all, I had to pack for Atlanta and I had to leave plenty of time to get to Newark. I wanted NO room for error in my first NYC solo airport experience. Can you blame me? He said he was glad that I was being "rational" (I'm usually the one saying "hey...you wanna go jump off some cliffs while we wait for your oil to be changed??"...something outlandish and a little crazy).
He called AGAIN and begged me to come. Why in the world was he encouraging me to be wreckless??? I had responsibilities and my mom would be really disappointed if I missed my flight to Atlanta.
I said yes anyway...I couldn't resist one last night with Gerald while he was in the city.
I met him at Madison Square Garden where he was waiting with VIP passes and our tickets. We stopped in the VIP room for a little bit, had a little grub and then went down to the concert. We had missed the opening act (Jordin Sparks & Ne-Yo...Rihanna even joined him for his last song!) but Gerald assured me that we had great seats. I asked the usher where to go; he pointed and said "walk down those stairs and go all the way to the stage". I nearly pooped myself. Part of me thought "surely this man is joking". After we got to the stairs I asked another usher, she said "go down these stairs and all the way to the stage". WHAT!!! I asked a third usher "You'll need to talk to that man next to the stage". HOLY CRAP!!!! At this rate I was sure I was going to be able to smell Alicia's breath. Our seats were RIGHT NEXT TO THE STAGE! I could've reached out and touched it had it not been for Ronaldo the security guard.
See...blockin!!!
I still got some great pics though! :)
Next time I'll tell you all about my family reunion, my summer book club (there's only one member) and my best friend (hint, he's plastic and can be kinda dirty)...
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
I'm Boring...
Someone please tell me why I moved to NYC to go to wake up, ride the train into the city, walk to blocks, ride an elevator up, work, ride the elevator back down, walk two blocks again, ride the train back to Brooklyn, then go to sleep?
I'm boring...
My friend told me it would be like this when I was considering moving here. She told me that at first it would feel like a business trip and then it would start to feel like "home". Well, it's been a month and I have yet to do anything that I couldn't have done in Austin (or so I'd like to think). Maybe I'm under-estimating the coolness of myself and the events I've attended...
1. Two Yankee Games
It's the last season in the House that Ruth Built. I've always enjoyed baseball, but only because I don't actually have to pay attention. I just sit, eat my hot dog and talk. Even if you sit there with your eyes closed you can enjoy yourself if not for the conversation then certainly for the weather. Both times the seats were amazing. Once 2 rows behind the dugout another in a luxury box. I guess that's cool...
2. Sushi!!
I've had a lot of sushi since I moved here. More than I would've eaten in Austin fo shizz. One place is where one of my favorite movies, Prime, was filmed the other is known for it's great tasting rolls (if it were up to me, I'd order Philadelphia Rolls till the day I die, so I guess it's good that I'm getting out there and trying some other rolls)
3. Sex & The City the Movie
Ok, seeing Sex & The City IN the City was actually pretty cool. Can't pinpoint the reason why, but it just was.
4. Subways
Navigating the subway system in NY isn't all that bad if you are literate and know left from right. For the most part, I've gotten from A to B without problems, after all, most days I just go to work and back, and I'd like to say that I'm pretty good reading a map even when I do decide to venture out. But goodness gracious! The times I have gotten lost (or even gotten on the train late) have been quite a doozy! After each Yankee game I've gotten back AFTER 12:30am b/c of one subway mishap or another and there are ALWAYS varying degrees of crazy people on the train no matter what time of day it is (for example, a man this morning stood in front of the doors, bobbed his head and danced to imaginary music during the ride and would stop and stand like a statue each time the train stopped. He'd just stand there and wouldn't move...no lie).
...see...I am boring...
I don't know what I'm expecting. Hopefully things will pick up soon and I'll have cool stories about running into street fairs, free concerts in the park and late night adventures in taxi cabs. Until then, I guess I'll just check Facebook and read news headlines.
I'm boring...
My friend told me it would be like this when I was considering moving here. She told me that at first it would feel like a business trip and then it would start to feel like "home". Well, it's been a month and I have yet to do anything that I couldn't have done in Austin (or so I'd like to think). Maybe I'm under-estimating the coolness of myself and the events I've attended...
1. Two Yankee Games
It's the last season in the House that Ruth Built. I've always enjoyed baseball, but only because I don't actually have to pay attention. I just sit, eat my hot dog and talk. Even if you sit there with your eyes closed you can enjoy yourself if not for the conversation then certainly for the weather. Both times the seats were amazing. Once 2 rows behind the dugout another in a luxury box. I guess that's cool...
2. Sushi!!
I've had a lot of sushi since I moved here. More than I would've eaten in Austin fo shizz. One place is where one of my favorite movies, Prime, was filmed the other is known for it's great tasting rolls (if it were up to me, I'd order Philadelphia Rolls till the day I die, so I guess it's good that I'm getting out there and trying some other rolls)
3. Sex & The City the Movie
Ok, seeing Sex & The City IN the City was actually pretty cool. Can't pinpoint the reason why, but it just was.
4. Subways
Navigating the subway system in NY isn't all that bad if you are literate and know left from right. For the most part, I've gotten from A to B without problems, after all, most days I just go to work and back, and I'd like to say that I'm pretty good reading a map even when I do decide to venture out. But goodness gracious! The times I have gotten lost (or even gotten on the train late) have been quite a doozy! After each Yankee game I've gotten back AFTER 12:30am b/c of one subway mishap or another and there are ALWAYS varying degrees of crazy people on the train no matter what time of day it is (for example, a man this morning stood in front of the doors, bobbed his head and danced to imaginary music during the ride and would stop and stand like a statue each time the train stopped. He'd just stand there and wouldn't move...no lie).
...see...I am boring...
I don't know what I'm expecting. Hopefully things will pick up soon and I'll have cool stories about running into street fairs, free concerts in the park and late night adventures in taxi cabs. Until then, I guess I'll just check Facebook and read news headlines.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Comedy of Errors
Yesterday I went to the grocery store in my neighborhood for the first time. I've been looking forward to this all week long. I imagined meeting the friendly clerk, with a thick accent, finding my items with ease, checking out and yelling back "See you next week!" to my new friend. Soon we'd wave to each other on the street and he'd invite me to have dinner with his delightful family and to see his children's plays at Junior High School 62. In my mind, this was the experience that my need for deli slices and fresh produce would eventually earn me.
I was wrong...
First of all, I went in the opposite direction of the grocery store when I left my apartment. So I ended up in a location (which I thought I recognized) that was quite sketchy. I walked into what I thought was the grocery store which my roommates called "really great". It had three aisles of canned food, a shelf stocked with gum and candy and a refrigerator full of sodas. A can of generic green beans was $1.09.
Yup...$1.09...generic green beans. See ya.
I attempted to shop. Soon enough I placed my items back on the shelf and walked out and back toward my apartment. Finally, I found the real store. The outside was charming with it's heaps of fruits and vegetables, the inside was a different story. It was a madhouse. Imagine a 10'x20' room, full of rows of unidentifiable canned items, a refrigerator full of more unidentifiable items, a stack of nuts, a row of fruits and vegetables (those were easily identified - but they could've put those outside with the rest of them...) and dead fish. All sorts and sizes. OH! and don't forget the random foods being pickled (including fish). Add in about 40 people and you've got my very first grocery shopping experience in Brooklyn! To add to strangeness of the experience, Latino music was blaring over the loud speaker. I'm serious. Only this kind of stuff happens to me...At one point I picked up an air-tight package of meat and asked the shop owner what it was. She pursed her lips, shut her eyes and growled "It's bacon..."
Don't give me that attitude! This is a predominately Jewish neighborhood!!!
I grabbed some apples, plums, a tomato, an onion and some "rice" and went home. I needed a nap, but I watched "Pushin' Daisies" online instead. Later I went roller skating with a friend from work. After the rink we went to a Dave & Buster's somewhere on Long Island. Very interesting characters those folks from L.I. One girl (who might have been 17) was wearing a black tube dress with a Burberry-patterned sash tied around her waist (I call it a sash, but it was really just a piece of cloth) and some red shoes that missed the fashion mark I think she was trying to hit. I watched her and her group of friends for a while. They were working hard to prove to the middle-aged D&B-ers that they were able to have as much fun as any person there - with or without a high school diploma. I remember being that age and feeling like I was mature and wise beyond my years. That label would've been true had I avoided doing a back flip from the bleachers (and busting my chin - 8 stitches!), inviting two football players in through my window in the middle of the night (don't worry, nothing happened. At the time I contended that they were just being funny, but now I realize I could've lost much more than sleep that night - thanks mom for bustin' that up. And for the record, there is no "non-embarrassing" way to do that, so to my friends with children, don't avoid confrontation for the sake of your child's reputation) and abusing my body to resemble a waif at prom. And while I can't identify with that group of girls in my fashion or entertainment choices, the mindset is familiar territory and I pray they make it out with just a few stitches and the memory of how skinny they were on prom night.
I was wrong...
First of all, I went in the opposite direction of the grocery store when I left my apartment. So I ended up in a location (which I thought I recognized) that was quite sketchy. I walked into what I thought was the grocery store which my roommates called "really great". It had three aisles of canned food, a shelf stocked with gum and candy and a refrigerator full of sodas. A can of generic green beans was $1.09.
Yup...$1.09...generic green beans. See ya.
I attempted to shop. Soon enough I placed my items back on the shelf and walked out and back toward my apartment. Finally, I found the real store. The outside was charming with it's heaps of fruits and vegetables, the inside was a different story. It was a madhouse. Imagine a 10'x20' room, full of rows of unidentifiable canned items, a refrigerator full of more unidentifiable items, a stack of nuts, a row of fruits and vegetables (those were easily identified - but they could've put those outside with the rest of them...) and dead fish. All sorts and sizes. OH! and don't forget the random foods being pickled (including fish). Add in about 40 people and you've got my very first grocery shopping experience in Brooklyn! To add to strangeness of the experience, Latino music was blaring over the loud speaker. I'm serious. Only this kind of stuff happens to me...At one point I picked up an air-tight package of meat and asked the shop owner what it was. She pursed her lips, shut her eyes and growled "It's bacon..."
Don't give me that attitude! This is a predominately Jewish neighborhood!!!
I grabbed some apples, plums, a tomato, an onion and some "rice" and went home. I needed a nap, but I watched "Pushin' Daisies" online instead. Later I went roller skating with a friend from work. After the rink we went to a Dave & Buster's somewhere on Long Island. Very interesting characters those folks from L.I. One girl (who might have been 17) was wearing a black tube dress with a Burberry-patterned sash tied around her waist (I call it a sash, but it was really just a piece of cloth) and some red shoes that missed the fashion mark I think she was trying to hit. I watched her and her group of friends for a while. They were working hard to prove to the middle-aged D&B-ers that they were able to have as much fun as any person there - with or without a high school diploma. I remember being that age and feeling like I was mature and wise beyond my years. That label would've been true had I avoided doing a back flip from the bleachers (and busting my chin - 8 stitches!), inviting two football players in through my window in the middle of the night (don't worry, nothing happened. At the time I contended that they were just being funny, but now I realize I could've lost much more than sleep that night - thanks mom for bustin' that up. And for the record, there is no "non-embarrassing" way to do that, so to my friends with children, don't avoid confrontation for the sake of your child's reputation) and abusing my body to resemble a waif at prom. And while I can't identify with that group of girls in my fashion or entertainment choices, the mindset is familiar territory and I pray they make it out with just a few stitches and the memory of how skinny they were on prom night.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Surprise! It's Monday!!
I didn't do anything "cool" this weekend, I was much happier lying in bed and reading my book all day Saturday (even though at one point I was sure I'd develop bed sores if I didn't get up). But today was a little different. I woke up (late...because I stayed up reading Glamour magazine), rushed to the train (in my Wellies) and rode to work. Now, under normal circumstances, I have my nose in a book, but since I finished it this weekend, I was free to take in some sites. I looked out the window and SURPRISE there was the Statue of Liberty. I guess I didn't realize how close I was to it EVERYDAY. Now, I've seen Lady Liberty before and just like all celebrities, she's shorter in real life. Once I reached my stop, I got off and went on to work...like always. Now, I don't know what the deal is, but lately, I've been really nervous when I lead conference calls - lots of "ums" and "uhhs", for no reason. I mean I've been doing this for over a year now, you would think I'd have the hang of it - I guess it's being unfamiliar with the NY team. Anyway, SURPRISE today there was no nervousness! The rest of the day went on as usual (my love for school and office supplies resurged around 3pm when I approached our receptionist...for a 3rd...perhaps 4th time...about a paper clip holder) but when I left work and walked onto 5th ave SURPRISE I smelled someone smoking the wacky 'baccy!!
And I thought the only grass in Manhattan could be found in Central Park...
And I thought the only grass in Manhattan could be found in Central Park...
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Brooklyn Stand Up
I live in Brooklyn. It's very weird to say, that about myself.
As I mentioned, Gerald and I decided to road trip it up here. We left Austin on Friday 5/2 at 7am and arrived in Rockwall where my mom was waiting on us. We unloaded a few things and got back on the road headed east. I fell asleep somewhere between Greenville and Texarkana (I realize that that is a large stretch of land, but I really don't remember), when I woke up we were in Arkansas. Trees...I've never seen so many trees. If I tried to count them I'd run out of numbers. So many in fact, that if God were to have told Abraham that his descendants would compete with the number of trees in Arkansas, I think he would've gotten the picture. So! Up on through Little Rock, and finally hit some bad weather. It's one thing when there's rain, but different when it alters lives. We saw a terrible accident on the opposite side of the highway. I'll tell you one thing, I'm not typically one to "cry" or get "all emotional" or "a little choked up", but this accident was so bad that as a human being one couldn't help but to react. Gerald and I continued on, carefully. Memphis, then Nashville and on to Louisville, KY. We arrived at 3am (east coast time by now - so really 2am) and could not have been more tired. We stayed a friend of Gerald's over night and spent the day with them watching the Kentucky Derby and enjoying the weather. Now, I must make a confession. About 2 years ago I totally talked down on Kentucky. I mean...it's KENTUCKY! What commerce is there? What is the state known for other than horses? I'll tell you what it should be known for...BEING THE MOST GORGEOUS STATE IN THE UNION! I had no idea that Kentucky was so beautiful! I was astonished. I feel like when people dream about America, they see Kentucky. Rolling hills, acres of land, perfectly manicured lawns, and beautiful blue skies. I wanted to stay. I don't know if I'll ever end up there again, but I certainly wouldn't mind. West Virginia on the other hand was another story. Let's put it this way, if I were Virginia, then I'd be glad they seceded from me during the Civil War, not to mention it's the one and ONLY state that's shaped like it has a beer belly. Through Pennsylvania and Maryland with all it's fog. New Jersey was next and finally, New York Sunday morning around 11. FYI I will never, ever, ever, EVER drive another car, truck or van in this city ever again...awful, just awful.
Gerald left on Monday morning after I dropped off our Penske truck. I sat and wept at the counter at the thought of saying good-bye to him. The Penske representative just handed me my receipt.
So far working has been hectic. There are a lot of projects going on right now and so much to do, but I have faith in my team. I know they are capable of even what seems impossible.
My apartment is pretty sweet. New building on a busy street, luckily my window is on the back of the building so I don't really hear anything at all. My room is huge, biggest room I've ever lived in in my entire life, no lie (as soon as I have pics, I will post, but right now it looks a hot tranny mess). There are lots of families in my area. The best part is a bunch of old men that sit outside all day and night and play games on the tables on the shady side of the street.
My new favorite thing to do is sleep with the window open (to feel the cool pre-summer air) and read a book on my chariot a.k.a. the Manhattan/Queens-bound F train - it's interesting being on there, so many characters get on and off. Even the conductor, whom I never see, seems to have a personality. Every morning he says "This is the Manhattan-bound F train. Next stop _________. Stand clear of the closing doors please..." in his thick New York accent. I always think "This man must be narcoleptic because he always sounds like he falls asleep immediately after the last syllable has left his lips" (don't worry, he wakes up in enough time to make the train grind to a halt at the next stop). All of this repeats until I get to 6th Ave and 14th st...I emerge from underground, pass a fruit stand, a bagel stand, Old Navy, a man watering the concrete and Baby Gap. Up 15 stories to T3 NY. This is my new norm.
I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. I really want to rest and do nothing. This move has been so demanding and I really just want a weekend where I do NOTHING. This will be my weekend...maybe I'll hop on the train and ride up and down on the island reading my book.
As I mentioned, Gerald and I decided to road trip it up here. We left Austin on Friday 5/2 at 7am and arrived in Rockwall where my mom was waiting on us. We unloaded a few things and got back on the road headed east. I fell asleep somewhere between Greenville and Texarkana (I realize that that is a large stretch of land, but I really don't remember), when I woke up we were in Arkansas. Trees...I've never seen so many trees. If I tried to count them I'd run out of numbers. So many in fact, that if God were to have told Abraham that his descendants would compete with the number of trees in Arkansas, I think he would've gotten the picture. So! Up on through Little Rock, and finally hit some bad weather. It's one thing when there's rain, but different when it alters lives. We saw a terrible accident on the opposite side of the highway. I'll tell you one thing, I'm not typically one to "cry" or get "all emotional" or "a little choked up", but this accident was so bad that as a human being one couldn't help but to react. Gerald and I continued on, carefully. Memphis, then Nashville and on to Louisville, KY. We arrived at 3am (east coast time by now - so really 2am) and could not have been more tired. We stayed a friend of Gerald's over night and spent the day with them watching the Kentucky Derby and enjoying the weather. Now, I must make a confession. About 2 years ago I totally talked down on Kentucky. I mean...it's KENTUCKY! What commerce is there? What is the state known for other than horses? I'll tell you what it should be known for...BEING THE MOST GORGEOUS STATE IN THE UNION! I had no idea that Kentucky was so beautiful! I was astonished. I feel like when people dream about America, they see Kentucky. Rolling hills, acres of land, perfectly manicured lawns, and beautiful blue skies. I wanted to stay. I don't know if I'll ever end up there again, but I certainly wouldn't mind. West Virginia on the other hand was another story. Let's put it this way, if I were Virginia, then I'd be glad they seceded from me during the Civil War, not to mention it's the one and ONLY state that's shaped like it has a beer belly. Through Pennsylvania and Maryland with all it's fog. New Jersey was next and finally, New York Sunday morning around 11. FYI I will never, ever, ever, EVER drive another car, truck or van in this city ever again...awful, just awful.
Gerald left on Monday morning after I dropped off our Penske truck. I sat and wept at the counter at the thought of saying good-bye to him. The Penske representative just handed me my receipt.
So far working has been hectic. There are a lot of projects going on right now and so much to do, but I have faith in my team. I know they are capable of even what seems impossible.
My apartment is pretty sweet. New building on a busy street, luckily my window is on the back of the building so I don't really hear anything at all. My room is huge, biggest room I've ever lived in in my entire life, no lie (as soon as I have pics, I will post, but right now it looks a hot tranny mess). There are lots of families in my area. The best part is a bunch of old men that sit outside all day and night and play games on the tables on the shady side of the street.
My new favorite thing to do is sleep with the window open (to feel the cool pre-summer air) and read a book on my chariot a.k.a. the Manhattan/Queens-bound F train - it's interesting being on there, so many characters get on and off. Even the conductor, whom I never see, seems to have a personality. Every morning he says "This is the Manhattan-bound F train. Next stop _________. Stand clear of the closing doors please..." in his thick New York accent. I always think "This man must be narcoleptic because he always sounds like he falls asleep immediately after the last syllable has left his lips" (don't worry, he wakes up in enough time to make the train grind to a halt at the next stop). All of this repeats until I get to 6th Ave and 14th st...I emerge from underground, pass a fruit stand, a bagel stand, Old Navy, a man watering the concrete and Baby Gap. Up 15 stories to T3 NY. This is my new norm.
I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend. I really want to rest and do nothing. This move has been so demanding and I really just want a weekend where I do NOTHING. This will be my weekend...maybe I'll hop on the train and ride up and down on the island reading my book.
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