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.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Where have all the posts gone?
If you have followed this blog at all, or if I directed you here in recent weeks, you might be wondering why there haven't been many new posts. I mean it is a blog about New York, right? And I did just move here, right? So why the lack of writing, the lack of photos or any new material at all?
Well... I am thinking that it is time for a change. I want to tweak the blog and turn it into something that fits better now that I have actually moved to New York. The only problem is: I am not yet sure what I want it to look and feel like. Not aesthetically per se, but in terms of content, etc.
So here is my challenge to anyone paying attention. While I continue to think about it... please send me your suggestions. Tell me what you would like me to write about. Tell me what things you would like to see. I will try and get to them as best I can and then perhaps this exercise will lead me to the shape and form of my new blog.
Well... I am thinking that it is time for a change. I want to tweak the blog and turn it into something that fits better now that I have actually moved to New York. The only problem is: I am not yet sure what I want it to look and feel like. Not aesthetically per se, but in terms of content, etc.
So here is my challenge to anyone paying attention. While I continue to think about it... please send me your suggestions. Tell me what you would like me to write about. Tell me what things you would like to see. I will try and get to them as best I can and then perhaps this exercise will lead me to the shape and form of my new blog.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Welcome to New York - Happy PRIDE Day
A beautiful New York Day. Sunny and warm. I started by meeting friends for brunch and all-you-could drink mimosas. We sat in an outdoor cafe on 3rd Ave and went about talking, eating and discussing baseball, New York, and anything else that came up. I did my best not to stick out as the "new guy" but I'm not sure if anyone was buying it.
After brunch we walked over a few avenues and watched the Gay Pride Parade. For those that are unaware, New York has one of the largest, oldest and most festive Pride parades around - or at least I am told. Anyway, I was just happy to have some new friends and something to do that would be A)FREE!, and B)Entertaining.
Now, don't get me wrong here - as a straight man, who has never attended a Gay Pride event - I was a little unsure of what exactly I was getting myself into. But I gotta tell you, it is much more than just a bunch of half-naked men, dressed in crazy outfits dancing down the streets. Although there is plenty of that! Just check out Superman and Wonder Woman.
There were tons of floats, elaborate costumes, singers, dancers and thousands of spectators. I was also surprised at the number of corporations that sponsored floats showing their support for their employees and their community.
By the time it was over, or at least I was over dodging my way through thousands of people! - We had walked more than 30 blocks, been in the sun for several hours and let's not forget all those bottomless mimosas. I was tired, but I had a lot of fun and met some great new people. My friends were right - PRIDE Day in New York is something that everyone should check out - the experience is worth it.
After brunch we walked over a few avenues and watched the Gay Pride Parade. For those that are unaware, New York has one of the largest, oldest and most festive Pride parades around - or at least I am told. Anyway, I was just happy to have some new friends and something to do that would be A)FREE!, and B)Entertaining.
Now, don't get me wrong here - as a straight man, who has never attended a Gay Pride event - I was a little unsure of what exactly I was getting myself into. But I gotta tell you, it is much more than just a bunch of half-naked men, dressed in crazy outfits dancing down the streets. Although there is plenty of that! Just check out Superman and Wonder Woman.
There were tons of floats, elaborate costumes, singers, dancers and thousands of spectators. I was also surprised at the number of corporations that sponsored floats showing their support for their employees and their community.
By the time it was over, or at least I was over dodging my way through thousands of people! - We had walked more than 30 blocks, been in the sun for several hours and let's not forget all those bottomless mimosas. I was tired, but I had a lot of fun and met some great new people. My friends were right - PRIDE Day in New York is something that everyone should check out - the experience is worth it.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Beginning Life in New York
Today I arrived in New York. When I landed the woman siting next to me turned and asked "Do you live here?" I thought about it a sec, smiled and replied "Yes, as of this moment…, I do. It felt good.
I was picked up by a friend (No M60 bus for me this time!) and we fought traffic all the way to Harlem. So here I am - my adventure begins. I don't start my new job until Monday, but as of today I am a New Yorker and I must set about learning my new surroundings.
After we made it and settled in, we walked to the corner bodega, (The Hot Food Grill) and ordered a couple of sandwiches. My belly full, I walked to the grocery store with my friend and picked up some food for the next few days. Not even a full day yet and I can tell: Money is going to be tight.
To this point my adventure has produced few speed bumps and I am beginning to wonder what challenges lay ahead. In any case it's only the first day and I am far too excited (and tired) to be concerned with that. I am sure there will be plenty of time to be stressed.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Finding Myself in Harlem - Cookout Style
DAY SEVEN (Interviewing Trip #2)
Memorial Day 2007
Started off with a ride from West Orange, NJ to Hoboken, NJ - home of baseball and Frank Sinatra. Stopped by a friend's place that I hadn't visited since my last trip and then made our way into the city via the Lincoln Tunnel.
After picking up a friend we headed back uptown to Harlem to have a cookout at the park. Actually, we had to cook everything at home and then carry it to the park. A far cry for those of us used to throwing everything in the back of a vehicle and driving somewhere for a holiday. Anyway, it was another perfect day. Sunny skies, a nice breeze and a nice shady spot in St. Nicholas Park, started out our little picnic.
All around us other families were cooking, talking, playing games, riding scooters, buying ice cream from the Mister Softee truck and just being happy. It really made me glad to be in Harlem.
Later we returned home and had a few drinks in front of the fans, (No A/C here folks)before heading downstairs to sit on the stoop. A few days earlier I met a neighbor, a large guy, goes by the name: "Teddy Bear" who was having a cookout/block party. He had a DJ, a huge grill, a radio station, and a bubble machine. We sat and listened to the music on into the night and had our picture taken on the stoop - sorry I don't have a digital copy. Again it was a great time.
I have to admit that before I came here - I was a little scared of Harlem. There is certainly a stereotype about the place. When I told people back home that this is where I was going to be staying they would say things like. "Don't get shot!" But honestly after spending a week here I have completely changed my mind.
Harlem is a great community, the people are strong, friendly, open minded and seem to want to know every body. It is truly a place where an individual is encouraged to express themselves. If you have a voice people want to hear it and they want you to say hello, have a good day, how ya doin?, etc. It is not a place to put your head down and try to walk by without greeting anyone.
And really I think it is a place that I will enjoy as I start my New York adventure.
Expenses:
Beer $8 (I think perhaps I should question why the largest chunk of my budget went to beer)
Photo with friend on the stoop $6
Total $14
Memorial Day 2007
Started off with a ride from West Orange, NJ to Hoboken, NJ - home of baseball and Frank Sinatra. Stopped by a friend's place that I hadn't visited since my last trip and then made our way into the city via the Lincoln Tunnel.
After picking up a friend we headed back uptown to Harlem to have a cookout at the park. Actually, we had to cook everything at home and then carry it to the park. A far cry for those of us used to throwing everything in the back of a vehicle and driving somewhere for a holiday. Anyway, it was another perfect day. Sunny skies, a nice breeze and a nice shady spot in St. Nicholas Park, started out our little picnic.
All around us other families were cooking, talking, playing games, riding scooters, buying ice cream from the Mister Softee truck and just being happy. It really made me glad to be in Harlem.
Later we returned home and had a few drinks in front of the fans, (No A/C here folks)before heading downstairs to sit on the stoop. A few days earlier I met a neighbor, a large guy, goes by the name: "Teddy Bear" who was having a cookout/block party. He had a DJ, a huge grill, a radio station, and a bubble machine. We sat and listened to the music on into the night and had our picture taken on the stoop - sorry I don't have a digital copy. Again it was a great time.
I have to admit that before I came here - I was a little scared of Harlem. There is certainly a stereotype about the place. When I told people back home that this is where I was going to be staying they would say things like. "Don't get shot!" But honestly after spending a week here I have completely changed my mind.
Harlem is a great community, the people are strong, friendly, open minded and seem to want to know every body. It is truly a place where an individual is encouraged to express themselves. If you have a voice people want to hear it and they want you to say hello, have a good day, how ya doin?, etc. It is not a place to put your head down and try to walk by without greeting anyone.
And really I think it is a place that I will enjoy as I start my New York adventure.
Expenses:
Beer $8 (I think perhaps I should question why the largest chunk of my budget went to beer)
Photo with friend on the stoop $6
Total $14
Upper Harlem and West Orange
DAY SIX (Interviewing Trip #2)
Went for an early morning walk with my friends. Checked out upper Harlem, near 163rd St. We walked through an area called Sylvan Terrace - it is a block of row houses built in the 1800's when Dutch settlers first entered the area. We got there just ahead of a huge tour group - phew!
Around the corner we visited Morris Jumel Mansion - the last colonial style mansion left in the city. It sits on top of a big hill looking out over Harlem and the Bronx. Supposedly a woman married to Aaron Burr stayed here for many years and housed guests such as George Washington and many others.
Our brief history lesson left us hungry so we got some breakfast at a greasy spoon called Jimbo's Burger Palace.
Next we checked out Highbridge Park and found a hole in the fence that led to a trail. The area beyond the fence was rocky and full of trees and brush so it was almost like taking a hike in nature somewhere. We found a great view of the Harlem River and sat down to digest and relax.
Plus we could see Yankee Stadium off in the distance. A great site for a Yankees fan like myself.
Later I was to visit a friend staying in West Orange, New Jersey - a place not too far from the city by car, but way the heck out there by mass transit. I started by catching the 2 train from 145th St. and riding the length of Manhattan to Park Place, hopped a PATH train to New Jersey and rode to the last stop at Newark/Penn Station. I then met my friend at the station and rode a bus about 40 minutes. It was a nice break to escape the city for a night, eat a home cooked meal and just simply get away from the pace of everything. Although West Orange is way out there it is really nice, we saw deer and wild turkey, something I did not expect on this trip.
Tomorrow I will head back to the city and see what is going on for Memorial Day.
Expenses:
Lunch $8
Bottled Water $1.25
PATH train $1.50
Magazine $7
Groceries for dinner $10
Bus tickets $5
Total $32.75
Went for an early morning walk with my friends. Checked out upper Harlem, near 163rd St. We walked through an area called Sylvan Terrace - it is a block of row houses built in the 1800's when Dutch settlers first entered the area. We got there just ahead of a huge tour group - phew!
Around the corner we visited Morris Jumel Mansion - the last colonial style mansion left in the city. It sits on top of a big hill looking out over Harlem and the Bronx. Supposedly a woman married to Aaron Burr stayed here for many years and housed guests such as George Washington and many others.
Our brief history lesson left us hungry so we got some breakfast at a greasy spoon called Jimbo's Burger Palace.
Next we checked out Highbridge Park and found a hole in the fence that led to a trail. The area beyond the fence was rocky and full of trees and brush so it was almost like taking a hike in nature somewhere. We found a great view of the Harlem River and sat down to digest and relax.
Plus we could see Yankee Stadium off in the distance. A great site for a Yankees fan like myself.
Later I was to visit a friend staying in West Orange, New Jersey - a place not too far from the city by car, but way the heck out there by mass transit. I started by catching the 2 train from 145th St. and riding the length of Manhattan to Park Place, hopped a PATH train to New Jersey and rode to the last stop at Newark/Penn Station. I then met my friend at the station and rode a bus about 40 minutes. It was a nice break to escape the city for a night, eat a home cooked meal and just simply get away from the pace of everything. Although West Orange is way out there it is really nice, we saw deer and wild turkey, something I did not expect on this trip.
Tomorrow I will head back to the city and see what is going on for Memorial Day.
Expenses:
Lunch $8
Bottled Water $1.25
PATH train $1.50
Magazine $7
Groceries for dinner $10
Bus tickets $5
Total $32.75
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