Stayin Alive!

One thing I have noticed about living in New York is that it makes you feel alive. It reminds you how your senses are supposed to work. Let me illustrate what I mean by describing both the positive and negative of some of the things I have seen and done in my first week.

SMELL
+ Walking past the Halal Food stands along 5th Ave as they prepare for lunch
- The stench of urine from man or beast as its heated in the mid-day sun

SIGHT
+ Watching fireflies in the park after dusk. Working their magic tails as they float above any chunk of grass that can be found.
- A glimpse at the scarred under belly of the city - A man on the subway passed out drunk at 5pm - unwashed, unaware, alone. You could tell that the city had taken its toll. Perhaps he is more alone than just being on a train asleep, by himself.

SOUND
+ The birds chirping in the morning mixing with the sounds of a city coming to life.
- Harsh sounds. The nearly constant sirens wailing, air brakes screeching, cars and trains horns blaring.

TASTE
+ A late night slice of pizza, just off the L train in Brooklyn. Made a stop last night after having drinks and checking out some bands in a warehouse.
- The nearly constant taste of exhaust in your mouth and on your tongue. Stand on a corner and you'll easily notice the clouds of black smoke coming from buses, trucks and Cadillacs.

TOUCH
+ Everyday you meet new people. You shake hands. These are smart, interesting, different, ignorant, harsh, beautiful, ugly - sorts of people. I enjoy it. For the most part, most that I have met have been cool.
- Touching a hand rail or a poll on a subway car and then considering how many people have touched that railing and where else their hands might have been. Sanitizer and frequent hand-washing are recommended.

ANY SORTA 6TH SENSE - Third eye kinda thing
+ You can tell that there is something powerful, special and unique about this place. I can just feel it.
- The flip side of that - never, ever forget or underestimate that power and never let your guard down. Keep your wits about you or the city will swallow you.