What to say...
One last morning in a cafe in DUMBO, one last cigarette outside the loft (Kar: I know, I know... I said that I had quit... I'm an asshole), one last lunch and one last subway ride.
I can't even begin to express how amazingly wonderful and cathartic this experience has been. This trip has been such a long time coming; it has given me a new perspective, allowed me to know myself better, and given me a better understanding of where I am going and what I want from my life. When I get back to Vancouver, I am going to make an earnest effort to pay of my debt. This is my goal for the year. My student loans are this overbearing monkey on my back, and while I have shrugged them off in the past, I want them gone. It seems overwhelming, but I am sure that if I put my mind to it, I can do it.
Other things:
- I am going to live in New York again, for longer than three weeks.
-I have known for a long time that I didn't belong in Vancouver, and this trip has been a solid affirmation of that; I love Vancouver, and it will always be my home... I guess that I feel about it like it's my 'parent's house' of the world. It gives me great comfort to be in Vancouver, and I know it so well, but I don't want to live there forever.
- Anything is possible in your life if you just make it happen.
*sigh*
Thoughts on New York:
My own impression is that New York is not as glamourous as it is often made out to be on film; New York is dirty and gritty and it's a struggle, people do not always go out in fancy dresses for endless parties; I think that people here do casual fashion better than in Vancouver, but I also feet far more comfortable getting really dressed up for no reason at all when I'm in Vancouver... though maybe that's also the season, as it's tough to dress up when it's 35 degrees outside.
Everyone here is working towards something; people go hard, in their social lives and in their work lives - this is what I find amazing and why I have always found myself drawn to larger cities. I think that if you are the kind of person who gets lost, that New York would swallow you whole... but if you are the kind of person who is inspired by the drive and success of others, and who thrives the most when you are challenged, then there is nothing better than being in a city where laziness will kill you.
disclaimer: I feel like this post is a little wishy washy and all over the place... but my thoughts are scattered at the moment, and I'm feeling very reflective blah blah blah.
Other thoughts: I wish that I had been more bold in the beginning of my trip with people that I wanted to hang out with, one person in particular. I would have liked to get to know him better, and it makes me a little sad that we only really had these last three days. That being said, I have a renewed faith that the possibility is out there that I will one day find someone to date again... and that's pretty great.
I have not taken anywhere near as many photos as I would have liked on this trip... I mean, I have taken a lot of photos of inanimate objects, but not enough of people. I hate flashes, and when you socialize largely at night, that's all you've got.
Blah blah blah.
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Yesterday I spent most of the day walking around and just taking in the city. I did not go on the Staten Island ferry to see the statue of liberty. Try as I might, I just can't get into 'seeing the sights', even if maybe I should. I went and hung out in the BBP and read, but eventually just went home to nap. It was just too hot out. There isn't a lot that you can do when it's 35 degrees outside.
It was a Monday night, and most people were busy and in the end there was no big New York party send off. I went and had a drink at the Jay Street bar and read and wrote and some guy who reminded me strangely of my brother Michael talked to me about his plan to make it rich.
Jenner came and met me when he was done work, and I was happy to have him rescue me from a tedious conversation of small talk. And also just that he was there. At 7, Codrin's friend Lisa came by and I was so glad to get to meet her even though it was at the last minute. She was awesome, and I have no doubt that if we had met closer to the beginning of my trip that we would have become awesome fast friends. The three of us sat and talked and had some drinks, and around 9:30, Jenner and I went home.
We thought about meeting up with Rian and Caspar for a beer when they got back from babysitting, but in the end, everyone was exhausted and it was nice just to snuggle on the couch.
This morning, I said some goodbyes, and am writing cards and packing and tying up loose ends.
At 12:30, I'm meeting Jenner for lunch, then back to the loft to grab my stuff, drop of the keys at Caspar's workspace, then off to Newark.
I REALLY HOPE that I can keep it together and NOT CRY AT LUNCH.
Final thoughts:
This will be my last entry for Broke New York.
In the end, my trip wasn't all that broke. I could have eaten in more exciting restaurants, bought more clothes, and seen more sights, but somehow, those things are fairly inconsequential. I've had the chance over the past few weeks to see amazing art, meet some incredibly lovely and truly wonderful people and really reflect on my life.
I love this city, and it is now a part of me, and it will always have a very dear place in my heart.
On that note, this is it. Tonight, I will walk through the doors of my apartment and fall into my own bed and snuggle with Rosemary and Thomas. On Wednesday I will see friends, and eat sushi and ride my bike, and reacquaint myself with the streets of Vancouver. And on Thursday I return to temporary work at the RTDO at Children's Hospital.
Thanks for reading, and see you all soon.
<3 <3 <3
Altaira Northe
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
one more day
Last full day in New York.
*sigh*
Yesterday, Jenner and I met up with some friends and subwayed out to Coney Island. It's a bit of a ride, but our place is super close to the F train, so at least we didn't have any transfers. Plus, most of the ride is actually above ground, so it's not like you're spending an hour in the dank New York subway underground.
When we finally get out to the Coney Island stop, the first thing that we notice is the heat. OH GOD, THE HEAT. It must have been at least a few degrees hotter than it had been in the city, and it was just SO SUNNY. I mean, not to complain, but we probably could have planned this out a little better. It was so bright out that I was squinting even with my sunglasses on. We walk up and down the boardwalk, checking things out.
There is a pit where you can shoot paintballs at 'the freak' for something like 75 bucks for 20 rounds; there is a long row of food vendors selling corn and drinks and hotdogs; there is a man singing what appears to be karaoke to a crowd of onlookers; and there is every variety of beach freak you could imagine, from a tanned hulk hogan type standing around in tight white boxer briefs and a fanny pack, to a granny in a mini skirt and shimmery bikini top, pushing a walker.
Coney Island is not what I had imagined. First of all, I think that in movies and TV shows, I have only seen it in the Winter months, when it is largely deserted. I had imagined a slightly desolate boardwalk, in the middle of an industrial wasteland. I had imagined that it would be largely devoid of people. This, however, is actually the opposite of the summertime Coney Island that we encounter today. It is SWARMING with people, and actually bordering what appears to be a mixed use residential-commercial neighbourhood. I also didn't know that there was an enormous beach along one side of it; somehow I had thought that there was just a long boardwalk that dropped off into the water. Secondly, I didn't know that there were SO MANY rides on Coney Island, and that it was actually a Playland type amusement park. I had been under the impression that it was basically just the Cyclone and the Ferris Wheel, with a bunch of carnival booths. Interesting.
The last friend that we are waiting for arrives, and we make our way over to the Cyclone. It's 8 dollars, which is an astonishing rip-off, but this is basically what we came out here for, so we all pay it without getting our panties in too much of a knot. I haven't been on a rollercoaster in a while, and as we wait for our turn, I can feel the terror rising in my chest. It seems funny that I am paying to give myself a tiny panic attack. Finally, we board the ride, and are fastened very securely into our seats. Here we go. The first thing that I should mention is that as you round the first corner, you really get the sense that this roller coaster is OLD... and maybe not in the best shape? It creaks and jerks and the wood along the edges looks as though it might rot and fall apart at any moment. This only adds to the nervous feeling that this roller coaster induces. As we climb the first hill, the girls are squealing in fearful anticipation and the boys are laughing, and kind of making fun of us. Finally, we're at the top of the first hill... and AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
I have never been one of those people who can throw my hands up in the air when going down a big drop on a ride; I am usually clutching the bar or the person next to me, with my jaw clenched and breath held tightly, maybe with my eyes closed, trying not to die. Hill after hill, until the hills are no longer large and steep enough to induce panic, this is how I react. The Cyclone is a decently long roller coaster that at the end of you it, you don't feel ripped off. And besides, it's a icon; if you're going to visit Coney Island, it's just something that you have to do. For 5 more dollars, you can immediately ride the the coaster again, but we opt not to. Once was enough.
We walk around some more and debate whether or not to go on another ride, but decide to get a snack instead. We walk over to Nathan's hotdogs, which is apparently somewhat of an institution; this is the place where they have the hotdog eating contests every year. sick.
We order cheese fries, and I am expecting fries with cheese on them, but instead they are fries with what appears to be some reconstituted cheese powder sauce mix that is probably about 3 steps lower than 7/11 nacho cheese. Despite my disgust, I I scarf back some fries, because let's face it, when have I ever been one to turn down a snack; I also kind of feel like disgusting snack food is part of what makes a day at a crappy amusement park complete.
We sit in the sand, in the shade, and try to avoid the ill-behaved screaming mountains of children that are running around us. A few more friends meet us, and we hang out for about half an hour longer, before we decide that WE JUST CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT, so we need to GET THE HELL OUT OF [CONEY ISLAND]
It was a bit of a short stay, but we are all perfectly satisfied. I would like to return here in the fall sometime, when it is less crowded and have a photo date with a friend. I can imagine that without the glaring sun and the crowds that it would be an awesome place to bike around with a good friend, a flask in your back pocket, and a camera slung over your shoulder.
On the train ride back, we are all sleepy and each dose off for at least a moment or two.
We head back to the loft to grab a blanket and use the bathroom and then walk over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park to enjoy the last hours in the sun on this beautiful day. The view from the BBP (this is not a real abbreviation that people use... I used it here because I was lazy, but now here I am typing out this huge explanation... that was useful)... anyways... as I was saying.. the view is AMAZING. The park sits between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and you can see all of Manhattan across the water, with the Statue of Liberty and Governer's Island to your left. It was the perfect end to the afternoon.
Just after 8, we once again head back to the loft and order pizza and watch true blood. People keep asking me how long I am here for or where I live and it hits me that I am leaving in a few short days and I wonder how I will feel when I get home.
Everything on this trip has just been so perfect and easy; I feel this city calling me. I know that vacations are different from real life, but I just feel so much like there is so much more here that I need to do; so many more people that I need to meet, or that I need to get to know better, so many more bikerides and late night walks and summer concerts and dinners with friends.
After True Blood everyone else leaves and Jenner and I watch Mad Men and then it's time for bed.
Kissing, snuggling, sleeping.
It's the perfect end to the perfect day, and a pretty perfect last weekend in New York.
Today I'm thinking of maaaaaaybe taking the Staten Island Ferry out to get a closer peek at the Statue of Liberty, running around the city a bit (hopefully finding a post office??), and later going to Brooklyn Bowl for some karaoke.
Tomorrow at this time, I will be getting my stuff together and getting ready to head out to Newark to catch my flight.
New York, I love you.
*sigh*
Yesterday, Jenner and I met up with some friends and subwayed out to Coney Island. It's a bit of a ride, but our place is super close to the F train, so at least we didn't have any transfers. Plus, most of the ride is actually above ground, so it's not like you're spending an hour in the dank New York subway underground.
When we finally get out to the Coney Island stop, the first thing that we notice is the heat. OH GOD, THE HEAT. It must have been at least a few degrees hotter than it had been in the city, and it was just SO SUNNY. I mean, not to complain, but we probably could have planned this out a little better. It was so bright out that I was squinting even with my sunglasses on. We walk up and down the boardwalk, checking things out.
There is a pit where you can shoot paintballs at 'the freak' for something like 75 bucks for 20 rounds; there is a long row of food vendors selling corn and drinks and hotdogs; there is a man singing what appears to be karaoke to a crowd of onlookers; and there is every variety of beach freak you could imagine, from a tanned hulk hogan type standing around in tight white boxer briefs and a fanny pack, to a granny in a mini skirt and shimmery bikini top, pushing a walker.
Coney Island is not what I had imagined. First of all, I think that in movies and TV shows, I have only seen it in the Winter months, when it is largely deserted. I had imagined a slightly desolate boardwalk, in the middle of an industrial wasteland. I had imagined that it would be largely devoid of people. This, however, is actually the opposite of the summertime Coney Island that we encounter today. It is SWARMING with people, and actually bordering what appears to be a mixed use residential-commercial neighbourhood. I also didn't know that there was an enormous beach along one side of it; somehow I had thought that there was just a long boardwalk that dropped off into the water. Secondly, I didn't know that there were SO MANY rides on Coney Island, and that it was actually a Playland type amusement park. I had been under the impression that it was basically just the Cyclone and the Ferris Wheel, with a bunch of carnival booths. Interesting.
The last friend that we are waiting for arrives, and we make our way over to the Cyclone. It's 8 dollars, which is an astonishing rip-off, but this is basically what we came out here for, so we all pay it without getting our panties in too much of a knot. I haven't been on a rollercoaster in a while, and as we wait for our turn, I can feel the terror rising in my chest. It seems funny that I am paying to give myself a tiny panic attack. Finally, we board the ride, and are fastened very securely into our seats. Here we go. The first thing that I should mention is that as you round the first corner, you really get the sense that this roller coaster is OLD... and maybe not in the best shape? It creaks and jerks and the wood along the edges looks as though it might rot and fall apart at any moment. This only adds to the nervous feeling that this roller coaster induces. As we climb the first hill, the girls are squealing in fearful anticipation and the boys are laughing, and kind of making fun of us. Finally, we're at the top of the first hill... and AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
I have never been one of those people who can throw my hands up in the air when going down a big drop on a ride; I am usually clutching the bar or the person next to me, with my jaw clenched and breath held tightly, maybe with my eyes closed, trying not to die. Hill after hill, until the hills are no longer large and steep enough to induce panic, this is how I react. The Cyclone is a decently long roller coaster that at the end of you it, you don't feel ripped off. And besides, it's a icon; if you're going to visit Coney Island, it's just something that you have to do. For 5 more dollars, you can immediately ride the the coaster again, but we opt not to. Once was enough.
We walk around some more and debate whether or not to go on another ride, but decide to get a snack instead. We walk over to Nathan's hotdogs, which is apparently somewhat of an institution; this is the place where they have the hotdog eating contests every year. sick.
We order cheese fries, and I am expecting fries with cheese on them, but instead they are fries with what appears to be some reconstituted cheese powder sauce mix that is probably about 3 steps lower than 7/11 nacho cheese. Despite my disgust, I I scarf back some fries, because let's face it, when have I ever been one to turn down a snack; I also kind of feel like disgusting snack food is part of what makes a day at a crappy amusement park complete.
We sit in the sand, in the shade, and try to avoid the ill-behaved screaming mountains of children that are running around us. A few more friends meet us, and we hang out for about half an hour longer, before we decide that WE JUST CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT, so we need to GET THE HELL OUT OF [CONEY ISLAND]
It was a bit of a short stay, but we are all perfectly satisfied. I would like to return here in the fall sometime, when it is less crowded and have a photo date with a friend. I can imagine that without the glaring sun and the crowds that it would be an awesome place to bike around with a good friend, a flask in your back pocket, and a camera slung over your shoulder.
On the train ride back, we are all sleepy and each dose off for at least a moment or two.
We head back to the loft to grab a blanket and use the bathroom and then walk over to the Brooklyn Bridge Park to enjoy the last hours in the sun on this beautiful day. The view from the BBP (this is not a real abbreviation that people use... I used it here because I was lazy, but now here I am typing out this huge explanation... that was useful)... anyways... as I was saying.. the view is AMAZING. The park sits between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, and you can see all of Manhattan across the water, with the Statue of Liberty and Governer's Island to your left. It was the perfect end to the afternoon.
Just after 8, we once again head back to the loft and order pizza and watch true blood. People keep asking me how long I am here for or where I live and it hits me that I am leaving in a few short days and I wonder how I will feel when I get home.
Everything on this trip has just been so perfect and easy; I feel this city calling me. I know that vacations are different from real life, but I just feel so much like there is so much more here that I need to do; so many more people that I need to meet, or that I need to get to know better, so many more bikerides and late night walks and summer concerts and dinners with friends.
After True Blood everyone else leaves and Jenner and I watch Mad Men and then it's time for bed.
Kissing, snuggling, sleeping.
It's the perfect end to the perfect day, and a pretty perfect last weekend in New York.
Today I'm thinking of maaaaaaybe taking the Staten Island Ferry out to get a closer peek at the Statue of Liberty, running around the city a bit (hopefully finding a post office??), and later going to Brooklyn Bowl for some karaoke.
Tomorrow at this time, I will be getting my stuff together and getting ready to head out to Newark to catch my flight.
New York, I love you.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
a few hangovers and a few days: an overview
Let me just preface this by saying that I have possibly one of the worst hangover headaches of my life right now. No joke. I don't even know how I am possibly this hungover, because it's not as though I drank an obscenely large amount of liquor last night, and I ate a big dinner before going out, blah blah blah.
Oh my god. The hangover. Why is this happening to me?
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I don't remember if I wrote about my day at all yesterday, and I'm too lazy to even go back to my previous post and check right now... all I really did was sit around and read in the park, so no big deal there.
At night, the plan was to meet up with Chris and Olivia and friends for bowling at Brooklyn Bowl. I bike over, and it turns out that there is a 15 dollar cover. For bowling. Brooklyn Bowl is also a music venue, which is great, but there is no bloody way that I am going to pay 15 dollars in cover (ummmm... I find out later that the band was a pink floyd cover band... really?) and then 50 bucks an hour for a bowling lane. Just. No.
The others haven't arrived yet, but when I text them about the extra cost, we agree to go to a different bowling alley (the gutter) right around the corner. This alley is more my style. It's just a shitty old awesome bowling alley with crappy neon signs everywhere, some busted up pool tables and cheap beer. Hurray!!
There are 10 of us, and we have to take a number and wait for two lanes to open up.
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Later in the day: I couldn't keep writing because I was starving and my head was pounding and it was time to go for brunch.
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The next day: I suppose that I had time to write yesterday, because all I did all day was go for brunch and then watch movies with roommates and nap.
Ok... back to where I left off.
Bowling!! It was really great. Who doesn't love bowling, anyways? It's pretty much the perfect social activity. We had beers and bowled our faces off and made up secret handshakes and generally had a great time. After several games, we strolled over to a local bar to grab a drink.
I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I am so glad that Zoe introduced me to Chris and Olivia over the internet. They are such lovely people, and their friends are equally lovely. The problem with meeting great people in other cities is that you always wish that you could wrap them up in your pocket and take them home with you to your city. I mean, I guess that the plus side is that you then have people all over the world to visit (Olivia is from Sydney, Australia and Chris is from London), but wouldn't it be great if you could just teleport them over for a visit any time you wanted to see them???
After wrapping up, I biked home and then hopped on a train to go and see Jenner and a friend at some birthday party they were at - here's where my evening went horribly wrong. It was already midnight when I got home and I hadn't been in touch with Jenner since just before 11; google maps gave me really shitty directions and I ended up waiting for a train for something close to 45 minutes; there were further shitty google maps directions after I got off the train.
I bought a pack of American Spirits and asked a nice looking girl for directions to the street of the bar that I was going to, followed by "ummm... just out of curiosity, is this an ok neighbourhood for me to be walking around in by myself in the middle of the night??"
Side note: I have no idea which neighbourhoods are good or bad here, and compared to Vancouver, a lot of Brooklyn looks pretty dingy and like it MIGHT not be the greatest area of town. This means that I often feel like I am walking somewhere sketchy when it's actually safe, or biking through a neighbourhood where people get mugged and feeling like I'm totally alright. It's weird.
Also, because only super fancy buildings are brick in Vancouver, even the projects here look to me like they are probably a nice place to live.
The girl on the street tells me that I am ok to be walking around here, so I'm on my merry way. I find the bar and it's clear that Jenner and his friends are no longer here. WHY DIDN'T I TEXT TO MAKE SURE??!? I decide to grab a beer none-the-less and hang out near the wall, scanning the crowd. Some big kind of weird guy walks up to me and starts a conversation. Normally, I would try to avoid him, but I'm tired and kind of drunk so I decide that there's no harm in indulging him. It's funny, because people can obviously tell that we are not together, and keep catching my eye over his shoulder to see if I need to be rescued. Literally, about 10 people gave me that "Hey! Is that guy bothering you? I can come in and pretend to be your bestie if you want, just give me a signal." It's not like the guy was an asshole or sketchy, just... I don't know. If you're a girl, maybe you know what I mean without my having to describe it. I down my beer and decide to leave. A few blocks away, I come to a familiar corner and realize that I know exactly how to get home from here. Hurray! It's nice out, and I don't want to go wait in the scorching hellish stuffy subway and I also don't want to spend a bagillion dollars on a cab, so I decide to walk. You might be thinking, THAT's a bad idea, you asshole! But it was literally one major street all the way home, with lots of shops open, cars, and people out and about, and absolutely no chance in hell of getting lost. The only bad part of the walk was that I chain smoked the entire way home. When I finally got onto High Street, I was so proud of myself for my much improved navigation skills. A few minutes later, I was home and collapsed into bed.
The next morning, everyone at the loft was hungover. I went for brunch with Rian and a friend at a cute little place a few blocks away. It reminds me a bit of Cafe Medina.
Side note: A lot of places here that serve brunch only include hashbrowns as a side. WHAT THE FUCK?!?!? Also, no free coffee refills? YOU'RE KILLING ME NEW YORK BRUNCH!! That being said, there ARE a lot of places that have ALL YOU CAN DRINK brunch. I feel like if my Vancouver friends went there, we would probably shut the place down. They would never know what hit them.
Ok. So after brunch, we go for a walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park and then go home to crash the day away. I was torn a bit between hanging out with people, and feeling like I should be out seeing the city, but I decide on the hangouts. We literally watched four movies on Saturday. Later that night, Jenner and Rian were heading out to a show in Williamsburg and they invite me to go with them. The band is called Autolux, and they are great. They have a female drummer who is actually totally awesome, and the band members each take turns singing different songs; all of their voices are equally angelic. The downside of the show was that there was a big group of douchebags in front of us that were drunk and rowdy and kept stepping on mine and Rian's feet. We actually almost started a fight with them. No joke. Here's how one of the interactions went:
Me: Excuse me. Could you please move forward a bit, you keep bumping into my friend and I and stepping on our feet.
Douchebag: Are you German?
M: What? (guessing, in disbelief, where he is going with this...) No.
D: Are you a member of the Gestapo or something?
(REALLLY?!?!? ASKING YOU TO NOT STEP ON MY FEET MAKES ME A NAZI?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!)
M: Wow. You're really fucking racist.
When I call him a racist, he shuts up and turns around. Let me just say, I am SO bothered by people throwing around the term 'nazi' like it is no big deal. It's a really big fucking deal. Also, I'm pretty sure that the Germans have enough nazi shame as a country without us casually throwing it in their faces all the time. It's NOT OK to throw the term nazi around. (side note: there were definitely times in the past where I have said something like, 'don't be such a nazi', but I'm pretty sure that that's because I was being ignorant)
Other than the total douches, and almost getting in a fight (what kind of big beefy guy picks a fight with two small girls because he is stepping on their feet??), the show was really great.
Afterwards, we cab to Chinatown for some karaoke and a going away party. Sadly, they do not have my customary Blink 182 Adam's Song on the books, so I decide to sing "I've got you under my skin" by Sinatra instead. Thankfully, I don't botch it too badly. Hurray!!
I spend part of the night snuggling and kissing with a super awesome and cute boy. Which is pretty great.
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Now I'm hanging out at "home" waiting for some people to stop by so that we can make our way over to Coney Island. Hurray!!
I can't believe that there are only a few short days left before I am home. It feels like I have been here forever, and I wish that I could stay for just a while longer. I am just starting to figure things out here and would love to figure them out more. The people who I have met are so incredibly nice and awesome, and I feel so lucky to have met them.
Meow meow meow.
That's all for now.
See you soon, Vancouver!!
Oh my god. The hangover. Why is this happening to me?
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I don't remember if I wrote about my day at all yesterday, and I'm too lazy to even go back to my previous post and check right now... all I really did was sit around and read in the park, so no big deal there.
At night, the plan was to meet up with Chris and Olivia and friends for bowling at Brooklyn Bowl. I bike over, and it turns out that there is a 15 dollar cover. For bowling. Brooklyn Bowl is also a music venue, which is great, but there is no bloody way that I am going to pay 15 dollars in cover (ummmm... I find out later that the band was a pink floyd cover band... really?) and then 50 bucks an hour for a bowling lane. Just. No.
The others haven't arrived yet, but when I text them about the extra cost, we agree to go to a different bowling alley (the gutter) right around the corner. This alley is more my style. It's just a shitty old awesome bowling alley with crappy neon signs everywhere, some busted up pool tables and cheap beer. Hurray!!
There are 10 of us, and we have to take a number and wait for two lanes to open up.
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Later in the day: I couldn't keep writing because I was starving and my head was pounding and it was time to go for brunch.
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The next day: I suppose that I had time to write yesterday, because all I did all day was go for brunch and then watch movies with roommates and nap.
Ok... back to where I left off.
Bowling!! It was really great. Who doesn't love bowling, anyways? It's pretty much the perfect social activity. We had beers and bowled our faces off and made up secret handshakes and generally had a great time. After several games, we strolled over to a local bar to grab a drink.
I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I am so glad that Zoe introduced me to Chris and Olivia over the internet. They are such lovely people, and their friends are equally lovely. The problem with meeting great people in other cities is that you always wish that you could wrap them up in your pocket and take them home with you to your city. I mean, I guess that the plus side is that you then have people all over the world to visit (Olivia is from Sydney, Australia and Chris is from London), but wouldn't it be great if you could just teleport them over for a visit any time you wanted to see them???
After wrapping up, I biked home and then hopped on a train to go and see Jenner and a friend at some birthday party they were at - here's where my evening went horribly wrong. It was already midnight when I got home and I hadn't been in touch with Jenner since just before 11; google maps gave me really shitty directions and I ended up waiting for a train for something close to 45 minutes; there were further shitty google maps directions after I got off the train.
I bought a pack of American Spirits and asked a nice looking girl for directions to the street of the bar that I was going to, followed by "ummm... just out of curiosity, is this an ok neighbourhood for me to be walking around in by myself in the middle of the night??"
Side note: I have no idea which neighbourhoods are good or bad here, and compared to Vancouver, a lot of Brooklyn looks pretty dingy and like it MIGHT not be the greatest area of town. This means that I often feel like I am walking somewhere sketchy when it's actually safe, or biking through a neighbourhood where people get mugged and feeling like I'm totally alright. It's weird.
Also, because only super fancy buildings are brick in Vancouver, even the projects here look to me like they are probably a nice place to live.
The girl on the street tells me that I am ok to be walking around here, so I'm on my merry way. I find the bar and it's clear that Jenner and his friends are no longer here. WHY DIDN'T I TEXT TO MAKE SURE??!? I decide to grab a beer none-the-less and hang out near the wall, scanning the crowd. Some big kind of weird guy walks up to me and starts a conversation. Normally, I would try to avoid him, but I'm tired and kind of drunk so I decide that there's no harm in indulging him. It's funny, because people can obviously tell that we are not together, and keep catching my eye over his shoulder to see if I need to be rescued. Literally, about 10 people gave me that "Hey! Is that guy bothering you? I can come in and pretend to be your bestie if you want, just give me a signal." It's not like the guy was an asshole or sketchy, just... I don't know. If you're a girl, maybe you know what I mean without my having to describe it. I down my beer and decide to leave. A few blocks away, I come to a familiar corner and realize that I know exactly how to get home from here. Hurray! It's nice out, and I don't want to go wait in the scorching hellish stuffy subway and I also don't want to spend a bagillion dollars on a cab, so I decide to walk. You might be thinking, THAT's a bad idea, you asshole! But it was literally one major street all the way home, with lots of shops open, cars, and people out and about, and absolutely no chance in hell of getting lost. The only bad part of the walk was that I chain smoked the entire way home. When I finally got onto High Street, I was so proud of myself for my much improved navigation skills. A few minutes later, I was home and collapsed into bed.
The next morning, everyone at the loft was hungover. I went for brunch with Rian and a friend at a cute little place a few blocks away. It reminds me a bit of Cafe Medina.
Side note: A lot of places here that serve brunch only include hashbrowns as a side. WHAT THE FUCK?!?!? Also, no free coffee refills? YOU'RE KILLING ME NEW YORK BRUNCH!! That being said, there ARE a lot of places that have ALL YOU CAN DRINK brunch. I feel like if my Vancouver friends went there, we would probably shut the place down. They would never know what hit them.
Ok. So after brunch, we go for a walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park and then go home to crash the day away. I was torn a bit between hanging out with people, and feeling like I should be out seeing the city, but I decide on the hangouts. We literally watched four movies on Saturday. Later that night, Jenner and Rian were heading out to a show in Williamsburg and they invite me to go with them. The band is called Autolux, and they are great. They have a female drummer who is actually totally awesome, and the band members each take turns singing different songs; all of their voices are equally angelic. The downside of the show was that there was a big group of douchebags in front of us that were drunk and rowdy and kept stepping on mine and Rian's feet. We actually almost started a fight with them. No joke. Here's how one of the interactions went:
Me: Excuse me. Could you please move forward a bit, you keep bumping into my friend and I and stepping on our feet.
Douchebag: Are you German?
M: What? (guessing, in disbelief, where he is going with this...) No.
D: Are you a member of the Gestapo or something?
(REALLLY?!?!? ASKING YOU TO NOT STEP ON MY FEET MAKES ME A NAZI?! ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!)
M: Wow. You're really fucking racist.
When I call him a racist, he shuts up and turns around. Let me just say, I am SO bothered by people throwing around the term 'nazi' like it is no big deal. It's a really big fucking deal. Also, I'm pretty sure that the Germans have enough nazi shame as a country without us casually throwing it in their faces all the time. It's NOT OK to throw the term nazi around. (side note: there were definitely times in the past where I have said something like, 'don't be such a nazi', but I'm pretty sure that that's because I was being ignorant)
Other than the total douches, and almost getting in a fight (what kind of big beefy guy picks a fight with two small girls because he is stepping on their feet??), the show was really great.
Afterwards, we cab to Chinatown for some karaoke and a going away party. Sadly, they do not have my customary Blink 182 Adam's Song on the books, so I decide to sing "I've got you under my skin" by Sinatra instead. Thankfully, I don't botch it too badly. Hurray!!
I spend part of the night snuggling and kissing with a super awesome and cute boy. Which is pretty great.
----------------------
Now I'm hanging out at "home" waiting for some people to stop by so that we can make our way over to Coney Island. Hurray!!
I can't believe that there are only a few short days left before I am home. It feels like I have been here forever, and I wish that I could stay for just a while longer. I am just starting to figure things out here and would love to figure them out more. The people who I have met are so incredibly nice and awesome, and I feel so lucky to have met them.
Meow meow meow.
That's all for now.
See you soon, Vancouver!!
Friday, August 27, 2010
I don't have a title for this post
Thursday the plan was to head to the Moma. Hurray! Out of all of the museums in New York, this was the one that the most people had said that I must go to.
I take the subway rather than biking, because I don't want to be a sweaty disgusting exhausted mess when I get there. The visit starts off with snotty museum staff who are unpleasant and who also force me to check my bag, even though it is tiny, and I later see people with unchecked messenger bags on their backs. I put my valuables into a small plastic sac that they provide, and I'm off. There are designated times to visit the special Matisse exhibit, and mine is now, so I head straight to the 6th floor.
Turns out that I really like modern art. The Pompidou was my favourite in Paris, and I think that the MoMa was my favourite here, followed closely by the Brooklyn Museum (the equivalent, in my mind, of the Musee D'Orsay).
I'll be honest... I 'm not really in a writing mood at the moment, and I don't really have any idea what to say right now.
I walked around the MoMa, took a shit ton of photos, took a video or two, got some espresso ice cream and sat in the sculpture garden in the sunshine. I was vaguely irritated when I realized that my book was in my backpack in coat check so that I couldn't read it while I was enjoying my ice cream, but I got over it pretty quickly. It was warm and lovely all day. I spent something like 4 hours at the MoMa, and if you go with your ticket from the same day, you can get into PS1 for free. I google mapped my route (thankfully, just about all museums have free WiFi. Hurray!!), then hopped on the subway. I realized rather quickly that I had gotten on the train going in the wrong direction. Womps! I get on the train in the right direction and 20 minutes later, I am there.
Sadly, there are no photos allowed in the PS1. This is extra sad because the building is AMAZING!! AMAZING. It's an old school building and it's full of exposed brick, and moody stairwells, and crown molding and creaky wood floors. I WANTED TO TAKE PHOTOS SO FUCKING BADLY!!!! A friend pointed out later that I could have easily snuck some photos, but I always hate it when I see people ignoring photo rules for museums and I would rather not be a hypocrite about these things.
Got home, made some dins and then headed to the Brooklyn Bridge Park to watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with some friends. Woot!! When I got there, it was packed. PACKED. I tried to find a spot where we could all fit in (I was the first one there), but it was just not happening. I asked some people if they were using the foot of space in front of them, and they got insanely grumpy, saying "well, we were planning on lying down for the movie". Are you fucking kidding me?? This is a PACKED park space and you are going to be the obnoxious jerks that take up as much space as humanly possible so that a lot of people can't actually watch the movie. you are awesome. I walked away, and I guess that they felt badly because they later made room and said that I could sit by them. There was EASILY room for a few more people, but they had been so weird that I didn't want to tell others to come and sit near me. After 20 minutes of sitting alone, I got a text from Jenner saying he was sitting with some friends over the hill, so I decided that I could watch Indy another time and that I would rather sit with some friends. Hurray!
Drank beers and chatted and laughed in the park then headed home for hangouts and a few more beers before bed time.
Today I spent the morning reading in the sun in the park, and then came home to try to make room on my computer (my compact flash card was full yesterday), to recharge all of my cameras and such.
Tonight I'm bowling at Brooklyn bowl and then who knows. Last weekend in New York!
Meep!
I take the subway rather than biking, because I don't want to be a sweaty disgusting exhausted mess when I get there. The visit starts off with snotty museum staff who are unpleasant and who also force me to check my bag, even though it is tiny, and I later see people with unchecked messenger bags on their backs. I put my valuables into a small plastic sac that they provide, and I'm off. There are designated times to visit the special Matisse exhibit, and mine is now, so I head straight to the 6th floor.
Turns out that I really like modern art. The Pompidou was my favourite in Paris, and I think that the MoMa was my favourite here, followed closely by the Brooklyn Museum (the equivalent, in my mind, of the Musee D'Orsay).
I'll be honest... I 'm not really in a writing mood at the moment, and I don't really have any idea what to say right now.
I walked around the MoMa, took a shit ton of photos, took a video or two, got some espresso ice cream and sat in the sculpture garden in the sunshine. I was vaguely irritated when I realized that my book was in my backpack in coat check so that I couldn't read it while I was enjoying my ice cream, but I got over it pretty quickly. It was warm and lovely all day. I spent something like 4 hours at the MoMa, and if you go with your ticket from the same day, you can get into PS1 for free. I google mapped my route (thankfully, just about all museums have free WiFi. Hurray!!), then hopped on the subway. I realized rather quickly that I had gotten on the train going in the wrong direction. Womps! I get on the train in the right direction and 20 minutes later, I am there.
Sadly, there are no photos allowed in the PS1. This is extra sad because the building is AMAZING!! AMAZING. It's an old school building and it's full of exposed brick, and moody stairwells, and crown molding and creaky wood floors. I WANTED TO TAKE PHOTOS SO FUCKING BADLY!!!! A friend pointed out later that I could have easily snuck some photos, but I always hate it when I see people ignoring photo rules for museums and I would rather not be a hypocrite about these things.
Got home, made some dins and then headed to the Brooklyn Bridge Park to watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with some friends. Woot!! When I got there, it was packed. PACKED. I tried to find a spot where we could all fit in (I was the first one there), but it was just not happening. I asked some people if they were using the foot of space in front of them, and they got insanely grumpy, saying "well, we were planning on lying down for the movie". Are you fucking kidding me?? This is a PACKED park space and you are going to be the obnoxious jerks that take up as much space as humanly possible so that a lot of people can't actually watch the movie. you are awesome. I walked away, and I guess that they felt badly because they later made room and said that I could sit by them. There was EASILY room for a few more people, but they had been so weird that I didn't want to tell others to come and sit near me. After 20 minutes of sitting alone, I got a text from Jenner saying he was sitting with some friends over the hill, so I decided that I could watch Indy another time and that I would rather sit with some friends. Hurray!
Drank beers and chatted and laughed in the park then headed home for hangouts and a few more beers before bed time.
Today I spent the morning reading in the sun in the park, and then came home to try to make room on my computer (my compact flash card was full yesterday), to recharge all of my cameras and such.
Tonight I'm bowling at Brooklyn bowl and then who knows. Last weekend in New York!
Meep!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
evening update
After reading yelp reviews to find the best nearish coffee shop; after google mapping my route; after walking there... I discover that McNally Jackson Books has now become a liquor store? Which doesn't really make sense, because they appear to have events running through August... either way, 52 Prince street was NOT a bookstore. Even on google street view, it is a clothing store... definitely NOT a bookstore and cafe. Ho wells! I walk around window shopping for a while, and find one of the most amazing stationery stores in life. I want to buy everything. They have scrap boxes (like books, but for less organized folks, like me!) that look like little vintage suitcases. They have every kind of paper you could imagine. They have a god-damned photo booth for christsake. I forget what they are called, but I have a photo on my camera, and some day I will upload it here.
I get home and eat dinner and have a beer and watch television. A few hours pass and noone has come home. I realize that my roommates all have lives and that they MIGHT in fact have plans. If I do not DO something, I will be sitting here in front of the TV and the Internet all night. YOU'RE IN NEW YORK, ALTAIRA!! FUCKING DO SOMETHING!! So I do. I go onto the Time Out New York and go to the "free things to do today" section. The first interesting thing is a show at the Knitting FActory that you have to RSVP to. I click on the link, and... it's full.
The second interesting thing is a book reading, "How I Learned to Live on the Road: Tales of Travels, Travails, Wanderlust and Out-of-Town Hijinks"; four authors will be reading here. Sounds awesome, and it's in China Town, which is just a hop skip and a jump across the Manhattan Bridge. Hurray!
I get to the address of the venue and all I see is a sketchy looking building; the sign reads "Happy Ending Health Club". No joke. The awning is faded and gross looking and I double check the address and wonder if I got it wrong. But no, I haven't. After a few bookish types pass me, I go inside and turns out that there is now a swanky little bar in place of a jerk-off joint. I'm there early so that I can grab a seat and I sit and read my book while I wait. An irritating couple sits down next to me and I want to punch them in the face. A different couple in front of me ends up blocking my view a bit, and when I ask them if they can move a smidge to the left they ask if I would like to trade seats, and I am so relieved that I no longer have to sit next to the boring/irritating/loud assholes for the entire book reading.
A little after 8 pm, the host goes on. Apparently this is part of a monthly event called "How I learned..." where various authors who fit the category read from their work. What a fantastic event to stumble upon. It was HILARIOUS. The authors were so clever and funny and just fucking rad. I can't give a breakdown of them all right now, but they were just amazing. I was blown away, and was so thankful and glad that I checked out the internet rather than being a bummer and staying in all night. Hurray!
Two hours later, satisfied with my evening, I bike home. On the way over the bridge, I am reminded of the sheer pleasure of COASTING. I have had a fixed gear for so long, which I love, but there are few feelings more pleasurable in life than coasting a bike down a hill at the end of the day. After reaching the peak of the bridge, I can coast almost the entire way home. In fact, these past few weeks, i take great comfort in those last seconds before I reach the door. Days or nights where I have been biking around lost for hours, and then I find it, a familiar street that will lead me under the manhattan bridge, then I coast the whole way down High Street, and I know that I will be safe and comfortable at home in a matter of seconds.
Jenner is at home and he's talking on the phone in his room so I turn on the TV and noddle on the internet. When he's done his conversation, he comes out of his room and we chat about friends and work and life and figuring things out and life in our respective cities. ROOMMATES!
I can't believe that in less than a week, I will be boarding a plane to come home. And I can't believe how long it seems that I've been away; it really does feel like an eternity. That being said, I wish that I could stay longer and figure things out here more. It's a strange length of time and a strange way to travel. When you try to immerse yourself in everyday life... it doesn't feel like I have been on vacation here for three weeks; it feels like I have LIVED here for three weeks. Maybe that distinction only means something to me. But I don't feel like a tourist. I am having my own mini-life played out in New York, and I wish that I had more time to see where it would go; to develop friendships that I have started to touch on and to really know these streets.
Meep!
For now, it's 1 am, and I'm up early tomorrow for the MoMa.
Totally stoked.
I get home and eat dinner and have a beer and watch television. A few hours pass and noone has come home. I realize that my roommates all have lives and that they MIGHT in fact have plans. If I do not DO something, I will be sitting here in front of the TV and the Internet all night. YOU'RE IN NEW YORK, ALTAIRA!! FUCKING DO SOMETHING!! So I do. I go onto the Time Out New York and go to the "free things to do today" section. The first interesting thing is a show at the Knitting FActory that you have to RSVP to. I click on the link, and... it's full.
The second interesting thing is a book reading, "How I Learned to Live on the Road: Tales of Travels, Travails, Wanderlust and Out-of-Town Hijinks"; four authors will be reading here. Sounds awesome, and it's in China Town, which is just a hop skip and a jump across the Manhattan Bridge. Hurray!
I get to the address of the venue and all I see is a sketchy looking building; the sign reads "Happy Ending Health Club". No joke. The awning is faded and gross looking and I double check the address and wonder if I got it wrong. But no, I haven't. After a few bookish types pass me, I go inside and turns out that there is now a swanky little bar in place of a jerk-off joint. I'm there early so that I can grab a seat and I sit and read my book while I wait. An irritating couple sits down next to me and I want to punch them in the face. A different couple in front of me ends up blocking my view a bit, and when I ask them if they can move a smidge to the left they ask if I would like to trade seats, and I am so relieved that I no longer have to sit next to the boring/irritating/loud assholes for the entire book reading.
A little after 8 pm, the host goes on. Apparently this is part of a monthly event called "How I learned..." where various authors who fit the category read from their work. What a fantastic event to stumble upon. It was HILARIOUS. The authors were so clever and funny and just fucking rad. I can't give a breakdown of them all right now, but they were just amazing. I was blown away, and was so thankful and glad that I checked out the internet rather than being a bummer and staying in all night. Hurray!
Two hours later, satisfied with my evening, I bike home. On the way over the bridge, I am reminded of the sheer pleasure of COASTING. I have had a fixed gear for so long, which I love, but there are few feelings more pleasurable in life than coasting a bike down a hill at the end of the day. After reaching the peak of the bridge, I can coast almost the entire way home. In fact, these past few weeks, i take great comfort in those last seconds before I reach the door. Days or nights where I have been biking around lost for hours, and then I find it, a familiar street that will lead me under the manhattan bridge, then I coast the whole way down High Street, and I know that I will be safe and comfortable at home in a matter of seconds.
Jenner is at home and he's talking on the phone in his room so I turn on the TV and noddle on the internet. When he's done his conversation, he comes out of his room and we chat about friends and work and life and figuring things out and life in our respective cities. ROOMMATES!
I can't believe that in less than a week, I will be boarding a plane to come home. And I can't believe how long it seems that I've been away; it really does feel like an eternity. That being said, I wish that I could stay longer and figure things out here more. It's a strange length of time and a strange way to travel. When you try to immerse yourself in everyday life... it doesn't feel like I have been on vacation here for three weeks; it feels like I have LIVED here for three weeks. Maybe that distinction only means something to me. But I don't feel like a tourist. I am having my own mini-life played out in New York, and I wish that I had more time to see where it would go; to develop friendships that I have started to touch on and to really know these streets.
Meep!
For now, it's 1 am, and I'm up early tomorrow for the MoMa.
Totally stoked.
rained in
So I guess that I have not updated for a few days.
Monday, I mostly hung around Dumbo waiting to move back to the John Street space. I went to Choice for breakfast and to write. After asking around, I was told that it was a much better place to go than the Dumbo General Store. It was. So. Much. Better. Not only is breakfast cheaper, it is also more interesting and more delicious. It's brighter and more pleasant and there are also more cute people here. Why haven't I been writing here every morning?!?
I go and pack up my things from Jenna and Henry's place, grab a thankyou card from a local boutique and head the few blocks to my home for the rest of my stay in New York. It feels SO NICE to have a room to myself. Hurray!! I don't know why it is that I am continuously exceedingly lucky when it comes to places to stay on vacation (and come to think of it, usually also with places to live), but I am so thankful.
In the evening, when Jenner walks in the door, he yells "Altaira's back!!" and that makes me feel pretty great. We catch up about our weekends and hang out and watch tv. Later, Rian and Caspar get home and we all sit around in the livingroom. Rian makes dirty martinis and I discover that I do not like dirty martinis, but it's still nice to be sitting in a livingroom full of delightful people, just hanging out, sipping a drink and laughing. This is exactly the kind of evening that I needed, and it reminds me of exactly why I really want roommates again.
After Weeds and the Big C, they put on this show called Tosh.0. Am I the only fucking person who hasn't heard of this?!? Apparently it's #3 on the comedy network and it's FUCKING HILARIOUS. It's basically a this guy, Daniel Tosh making fun of things on the internet. Seriously, I laughed so fucking hard. I am going to download every episode ever when I get home. Sleep times, and the next day I am up (relatively early) to make my way to the Met. Hurray!!
Admission to the Met is by donation. Every person who is from New York has told me that when they go, they pay a dollar, so I do the same. I get a bit of a scowl from the cashier, but hey, it says pay what you can, and I'm on a budget here. There are plenty of museums that are NOT by donation, and the Met is so full of tourists paying full price that I justify to myself that my paying a dollar really won't busy their balls. Am I right?
Let me just say, the Met is FUCKING HUGE. HUGE.
It blew my mind.
It is definitely something that you have to see while you are in New York, but that being said, I really did enjoy some of the smaller museums more. I felt so incredibly lost and overwhelmed here. And there were just SO MANY people. If I lived here, I would probably come one afternoon a month, and pick a specific exhibit or wing to go through thoroughly. I felt the same way about the Louvre in Paris. It's crazy when you are in these amazing museums and it seems like every corner you turn, there is some incredibly famous piece of art that you have seen in art books/classes/pop culture about a million times. And then there it is in front of you. Like, Un Dimanche a la Grande Jatte by Seurat or Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, by Degas. It's so bizarre, like seeing a movie star. (Ps. I PROMISE that I will go through all of these posts later and put in photos, but I am just too lazy at the moment... even though I just discovered a feature on blogger that makes including them incredibly easy).
My favourite part of the Met was all of the furniture and period rooms. There is just such a sense of emotion that I get from these exhibits. It's the same thing as when I was talking about the jewelry from Egypt. When you see a room, recreated as authentically as possible, you can't help but think, HOLY SHIT, SOMEONE LIVED HERE. Someone slept in this bed, they wrote at this desk, they looked at themselves in this mirror when they got ready for the day. It's fucking incredible.
Five hours later, I was all Met-ed out.
I need to be outside for a while, so I took a stroll down Park Avenue. I would really love to be able to spend a lot of time exploring Central Park. This visit, it is just too rainy or humid but I hope to spend many days discovering it at some point in my future.
I get home and then trek out to Trader Joes. Once again, I am astounded by the value. Hurray! Value!
While I am making dinner, Chris texts me and asks if I want to come over and hang out and watch funny television shows. I say that I do, and half an hour later, I am on my bike heading over to Bushwick. We watch "It's always sunny in Philidelphia" and a few other things, including the first episode of "Breaking Bad", which obviously is not funny, but I had never seen it before, and I will now have to download the entire series.
We snuggle and kiss a bit, which is nice, but I decide that I want to sleep at home, so I hop on my bike and hit the rainy street. There is something so liberating to me about biking late at night. It is one of my favourite things in life.
For once, on both the way out AND home I DO NOT GET LOST! It take me 20 minutes to bike there and 20 to bike back. AMAZING!!
It's 2 am and I'm sleepy as hell, so I hop into bed for sleep. My plan is to wake up early in the morning to write and to do some work...
When I wake up it's 11 am. Turns out that sleeping in a room with no natural light totally fucks with you. Why didn't I set an alarm!? Oh well. It's not like I have anywhere in particular to be, and it's totally rainy and miserable outside, so I am in no hurry. I make breakfast and chat with Karlene on the internet and try to figure out where I want to spend my day. She suggests a place on the Lower East Side called the Cake Shop that is a cafe by day and a venue by night. It's only a few short F train stops away, so I head on over.
(PS. Have I mentioned that I am AGAIN having trouble with my debit card?!? Vancity says that there should not be a problem and they don't know what's wrong. ARGH!!)
To avoid getting lost, I not only google maps, but street view my route, which turns out to be a fantastic idea. Hurray!
On my way there, I pass a Steve Madden store that is having a huge sale, and I can't help myself, so I pop in. Turns out to be well worth it, even though I'm not suppose to buy any more shoes or clothes. I find a pair of awesome leather ankle boots for THIRTY DOLLARS!! FUCKING AWESOME!! Because I brought about 5 pairs of shoes to New York with me, I will have 8 pairs of shoes in my bag on the way back... That being said, three awesome pairs of shoes for 130 bucks?? Yes, please! Thanks for the great sales, New York!
I get to the Cake Shop and it's a little bit of a dive? I mean, it seems cool, but it also seems like they put no effort into it to "be cool". I'm not sure how I feel about it. But I get a cupcake and a beer, and both are delicious.
There is a small group of kids (not literally) sitting near me, and I am eavesdropping on their conversation and I keep wanting to break in because they are talking about getting divorced and... some other things... I forget what... but things that I definitely have something to bond with them over. But I don't want to seem like a weirdo, so I just keep to myself and type. It's 3:15, and I'm almost done this post and I am not sure what to do with myself for the rest of the afternoon. I was going to make a karaoke event on facebook but then got nervous, because I am silly, so I might make one for my last night when I know that there is a cool bar in Brooklyn doing karaoke rather than trying to sift through all of the places on Yelp and potentially choosing a place that is totally horrible. Meep!
Rain is forecast for the rest of the week and it's really putting a damper (ba dump bump) on this week, because I really just want to curl up and do nothing. During class, Lee Henderson said something about how we, as writers, really just want to sit in one place with our computers all day. At the time, I thought, "are you kidding me?? I go out and do stuff ALL THE TIME" but he was completely right. Most of the time, I am completely satisfied being holed up in a cafe, bar, in bed, on my couch, in a park, with my laptop just typing away. That is probably the easiest way in life to make me completely content. When I imagine my life partner, this is what we are doing; I mean, obviously there are other things, like cooking, laughing, walking in the rain... but the most consistent image in my mind, is us sitting across from each other at a table, with our computers, working and typing. This is my dream.
Anyays... now I have to pee, and the basementy-ness of the cake shop is making me a little antsy.
EDIT: Just a side note on the cake shop... as a night time venue, or as a place to grab a beer with a friend, it would be totally awesome. In fact, most days I would really love the wood paneling/christmas lights/broken chair-ness of it, but today I am feeling a little basement-y myself, so I probably should have gone somewhere a little more light. END EDIT.
Broke New York, signing off.
Monday, I mostly hung around Dumbo waiting to move back to the John Street space. I went to Choice for breakfast and to write. After asking around, I was told that it was a much better place to go than the Dumbo General Store. It was. So. Much. Better. Not only is breakfast cheaper, it is also more interesting and more delicious. It's brighter and more pleasant and there are also more cute people here. Why haven't I been writing here every morning?!?
I go and pack up my things from Jenna and Henry's place, grab a thankyou card from a local boutique and head the few blocks to my home for the rest of my stay in New York. It feels SO NICE to have a room to myself. Hurray!! I don't know why it is that I am continuously exceedingly lucky when it comes to places to stay on vacation (and come to think of it, usually also with places to live), but I am so thankful.
In the evening, when Jenner walks in the door, he yells "Altaira's back!!" and that makes me feel pretty great. We catch up about our weekends and hang out and watch tv. Later, Rian and Caspar get home and we all sit around in the livingroom. Rian makes dirty martinis and I discover that I do not like dirty martinis, but it's still nice to be sitting in a livingroom full of delightful people, just hanging out, sipping a drink and laughing. This is exactly the kind of evening that I needed, and it reminds me of exactly why I really want roommates again.
After Weeds and the Big C, they put on this show called Tosh.0. Am I the only fucking person who hasn't heard of this?!? Apparently it's #3 on the comedy network and it's FUCKING HILARIOUS. It's basically a this guy, Daniel Tosh making fun of things on the internet. Seriously, I laughed so fucking hard. I am going to download every episode ever when I get home. Sleep times, and the next day I am up (relatively early) to make my way to the Met. Hurray!!
Admission to the Met is by donation. Every person who is from New York has told me that when they go, they pay a dollar, so I do the same. I get a bit of a scowl from the cashier, but hey, it says pay what you can, and I'm on a budget here. There are plenty of museums that are NOT by donation, and the Met is so full of tourists paying full price that I justify to myself that my paying a dollar really won't busy their balls. Am I right?
Let me just say, the Met is FUCKING HUGE. HUGE.
It blew my mind.
It is definitely something that you have to see while you are in New York, but that being said, I really did enjoy some of the smaller museums more. I felt so incredibly lost and overwhelmed here. And there were just SO MANY people. If I lived here, I would probably come one afternoon a month, and pick a specific exhibit or wing to go through thoroughly. I felt the same way about the Louvre in Paris. It's crazy when you are in these amazing museums and it seems like every corner you turn, there is some incredibly famous piece of art that you have seen in art books/classes/pop culture about a million times. And then there it is in front of you. Like, Un Dimanche a la Grande Jatte by Seurat or Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, by Degas. It's so bizarre, like seeing a movie star. (Ps. I PROMISE that I will go through all of these posts later and put in photos, but I am just too lazy at the moment... even though I just discovered a feature on blogger that makes including them incredibly easy).
My favourite part of the Met was all of the furniture and period rooms. There is just such a sense of emotion that I get from these exhibits. It's the same thing as when I was talking about the jewelry from Egypt. When you see a room, recreated as authentically as possible, you can't help but think, HOLY SHIT, SOMEONE LIVED HERE. Someone slept in this bed, they wrote at this desk, they looked at themselves in this mirror when they got ready for the day. It's fucking incredible.
Five hours later, I was all Met-ed out.
I need to be outside for a while, so I took a stroll down Park Avenue. I would really love to be able to spend a lot of time exploring Central Park. This visit, it is just too rainy or humid but I hope to spend many days discovering it at some point in my future.
I get home and then trek out to Trader Joes. Once again, I am astounded by the value. Hurray! Value!
While I am making dinner, Chris texts me and asks if I want to come over and hang out and watch funny television shows. I say that I do, and half an hour later, I am on my bike heading over to Bushwick. We watch "It's always sunny in Philidelphia" and a few other things, including the first episode of "Breaking Bad", which obviously is not funny, but I had never seen it before, and I will now have to download the entire series.
We snuggle and kiss a bit, which is nice, but I decide that I want to sleep at home, so I hop on my bike and hit the rainy street. There is something so liberating to me about biking late at night. It is one of my favourite things in life.
For once, on both the way out AND home I DO NOT GET LOST! It take me 20 minutes to bike there and 20 to bike back. AMAZING!!
It's 2 am and I'm sleepy as hell, so I hop into bed for sleep. My plan is to wake up early in the morning to write and to do some work...
When I wake up it's 11 am. Turns out that sleeping in a room with no natural light totally fucks with you. Why didn't I set an alarm!? Oh well. It's not like I have anywhere in particular to be, and it's totally rainy and miserable outside, so I am in no hurry. I make breakfast and chat with Karlene on the internet and try to figure out where I want to spend my day. She suggests a place on the Lower East Side called the Cake Shop that is a cafe by day and a venue by night. It's only a few short F train stops away, so I head on over.
(PS. Have I mentioned that I am AGAIN having trouble with my debit card?!? Vancity says that there should not be a problem and they don't know what's wrong. ARGH!!)
To avoid getting lost, I not only google maps, but street view my route, which turns out to be a fantastic idea. Hurray!
On my way there, I pass a Steve Madden store that is having a huge sale, and I can't help myself, so I pop in. Turns out to be well worth it, even though I'm not suppose to buy any more shoes or clothes. I find a pair of awesome leather ankle boots for THIRTY DOLLARS!! FUCKING AWESOME!! Because I brought about 5 pairs of shoes to New York with me, I will have 8 pairs of shoes in my bag on the way back... That being said, three awesome pairs of shoes for 130 bucks?? Yes, please! Thanks for the great sales, New York!
I get to the Cake Shop and it's a little bit of a dive? I mean, it seems cool, but it also seems like they put no effort into it to "be cool". I'm not sure how I feel about it. But I get a cupcake and a beer, and both are delicious.
There is a small group of kids (not literally) sitting near me, and I am eavesdropping on their conversation and I keep wanting to break in because they are talking about getting divorced and... some other things... I forget what... but things that I definitely have something to bond with them over. But I don't want to seem like a weirdo, so I just keep to myself and type. It's 3:15, and I'm almost done this post and I am not sure what to do with myself for the rest of the afternoon. I was going to make a karaoke event on facebook but then got nervous, because I am silly, so I might make one for my last night when I know that there is a cool bar in Brooklyn doing karaoke rather than trying to sift through all of the places on Yelp and potentially choosing a place that is totally horrible. Meep!
Rain is forecast for the rest of the week and it's really putting a damper (ba dump bump) on this week, because I really just want to curl up and do nothing. During class, Lee Henderson said something about how we, as writers, really just want to sit in one place with our computers all day. At the time, I thought, "are you kidding me?? I go out and do stuff ALL THE TIME" but he was completely right. Most of the time, I am completely satisfied being holed up in a cafe, bar, in bed, on my couch, in a park, with my laptop just typing away. That is probably the easiest way in life to make me completely content. When I imagine my life partner, this is what we are doing; I mean, obviously there are other things, like cooking, laughing, walking in the rain... but the most consistent image in my mind, is us sitting across from each other at a table, with our computers, working and typing. This is my dream.
Anyays... now I have to pee, and the basementy-ness of the cake shop is making me a little antsy.
EDIT: Just a side note on the cake shop... as a night time venue, or as a place to grab a beer with a friend, it would be totally awesome. In fact, most days I would really love the wood paneling/christmas lights/broken chair-ness of it, but today I am feeling a little basement-y myself, so I probably should have gone somewhere a little more light. END EDIT.
Broke New York, signing off.
Monday, August 23, 2010
settling in
So the past few days I don't really feel like doing a whole hell of a lot. I know that I should be all GO GO GO the entire time that I'm here, but I just don't have the stamina for that anymore. I would rather spend a few days a week on my laptop in a coffee shop, or sitting on the couch reading a book.
Since it was pretty gross out, and I had a bit of cabin fever, and I really wanted to be neither inside nor outside, I decided to go shopping. There was this store that Mikey took me to on the 1st day here that was exceedingly cheap, and I remembered seeing a dress that I had really liked, so I thought that I would check it out. The store is called Uniquo (sp? i don't have the internet while I'm typing this; don't judge me) - it's supposed to be the H&M of Japan. They have super cheap t-shirts (v-necks for 5 dollars) and jeans (20 bucks) as well as dresses and trenches etc etc. Unfortunately, the dress that I really wanted was sold out other than the large, which looked like a tent on me, so I ended up getting it in black (I know, right?? but I TRIED to get it in a real colour!!)
Other than this one dress... nothing really fit me. A girl such as I with lots of "junk in the trunk" CANNOT comfortably shop at a store where the clothes are made for Japanese girls. It is just not possible. By the end of it, I kind of felt like a heffer. WOMPS. That being said!!! If you are NOT hippy, or if you are a little on the teensy side, are a boy, or you just want to pick up some tees, GO TO THIS STORE!!! It's really good for basics, as long as they fit you!! They also do have some really pretty girl clothes; none of the sizes are standard here, so if you try on a L in one dress and you can't even get it on, you might still fit a S in a different cut. SO WEIRD AND FRUSTRATING.
As I continued my walk down broadway and noticed a display of TOMS in the window of a store. YES!! AND they just so happened to have my size in grey. SCORE!! They are a great pair of comfy and stylish sneakers AND for every pair sold, they donate a pair to a child in a third world country. How great is that!? Plus, they are still under 50 bucks. You can also get limited edition and vegan versions AND you can order them on the internet. TOMS FOR EVERYONE!
One more thing happened while I was downtown...I got stuck in the most fucking insane torrential downpour that I have ever seen in my life. It was CRAZY.
It happened while I was in Uniquo. As I approached the front doors to leave there are a ton of people huddled around them staring at the rain and waiting for it to ease up to go outside. My thoughts went something like this, "what a bunch of pussies. I am smart and I brought an umbrella. Rain does not scare me, I am from Vancouver". I pushed out the door, opened my umbrella and WHAT THE FUCK!? The umbrella, it does NOTHING! It felt like the rain was pouring down in sheets from every conceivable angle. SHEETS!! BUCKETS! WALLS of RAIN. I made it about three storefronts down before I had to take shelter inside.
Holy Moly.
On my way back to the subway (which I keep wanting to call the Metro), some spoiled trust fund teen asked me where the Coach store was, which, despite the fact that she was a spoiled teenager, made me feel good about myself, because it meant that I a) did not look like a frumpy heffer (usually how i feel after shopping) b) did not look like a tourist. Every time someone asks me for directions when I am on a trip, it always gives me a little confidence boost, because it means that I have done an adequate job of fitting into the city that I am visiting. YES!
I had been planning to go to a free Chromeo show on the waterfront, but the rain deterred me. I texted Chris to see what he was up to, and it turned out that the rain had not deterred him from said show, but he would give me a shout later.
After almost giving up on any plans for the evening, the OTHER Chris (Zoe's roommate visiting from London) sent me a last minute text to come and meet him and Olivia and some friends for dinner at Westside, on 11th street and Ave A. Hurray!! I quickly got ready, and hopped on the subway, but SADLY got off way too early!! In a panic, rather than getting back on the subway, I just grabbed a cab which was EXCEEDINGLY SLOW. I was an hour late!!! Thankfully, they had ordered appies and hadn't even ordered dinner yet!! Let me tell you, if you are ever in New York, and especially if you are a vegetarian, you should go to this place. There are a three locations in total.
NOM NOM NOM.
I looked at the menu and was immediately overwhelmed with their "market sides" section - it was basically every type of vegetable that you could hope for, prepared in different ways, to perfection.
But what do these sides come with?!?! I ask myself. WELL it turns out that you can choose to make a meal out of 4 of them for 12 dollars. YUM!! I am the type of person who is perpetually confounded by what to pick on a menu, so this was PERFECT!
I chose, sesame crusted tofu with broccoli, parmesan grilled asparagus, green beans with toasted almonds and lemon and yam fries. SO GOOD.
They also had a lovely organic ale on the menu for 4 dollars a bottle.
I'm really glad that Zoe decided to introduce me to Chris via the internet, because he and Olivia are such lovely lovely people; dinner with their friends was so wonderful and it made me feel a little less lonesome for home.
After dinner, we all had desert (apple pie baked that day with a side of vanilla ice cream).
We then waited out a horrendous downpoor before heading out into the night.
We walked up to the nearest subway, but the wait was 15 minutes so I decided to take a walk up to 6 ave where I could catch the F train without a transfer.
On the way to the train, I duck into a whole foods in search of anything that I can't get in Canada, and I find it, Coconut Milk yoghurt!! This is the stuff that I have only seen on Vegan food blogs. Hurray! Once again, I am astounded by how cheap the groceries are here, even for a whole foods... or rather, how EXPENSIVE everything is in Vancouver. Vancouver MIGHT ACTUALLY be one of the most expensive cities in the world. No joke. Have I mentioned that they include the tax in the tag price of clothes here?? Best thing ever.
As I get in the door, I get a text from Chris asking me to meet him at some party. If it wasn't raining, and I could bike there, I would go. But I feel like I have spent too many dollars and taken too many cabs and subways today and I just need to stay in. Maybe I'm getting old.
We keep trying to make plans, and i really hope that one of the plans will work out before I am too close to leaving. CUTE BOYS!
Today I move into Matt's room on John Street, and I'm meeting up with Chris and Olivia later to go to a show. I've gotten a lot of interest in a karaoke night, and Thursday I'm going bowling. I have one week left and then I'm back in the arms of Vancouver. It's going to be a good week.
Since it was pretty gross out, and I had a bit of cabin fever, and I really wanted to be neither inside nor outside, I decided to go shopping. There was this store that Mikey took me to on the 1st day here that was exceedingly cheap, and I remembered seeing a dress that I had really liked, so I thought that I would check it out. The store is called Uniquo (sp? i don't have the internet while I'm typing this; don't judge me) - it's supposed to be the H&M of Japan. They have super cheap t-shirts (v-necks for 5 dollars) and jeans (20 bucks) as well as dresses and trenches etc etc. Unfortunately, the dress that I really wanted was sold out other than the large, which looked like a tent on me, so I ended up getting it in black (I know, right?? but I TRIED to get it in a real colour!!)
Other than this one dress... nothing really fit me. A girl such as I with lots of "junk in the trunk" CANNOT comfortably shop at a store where the clothes are made for Japanese girls. It is just not possible. By the end of it, I kind of felt like a heffer. WOMPS. That being said!!! If you are NOT hippy, or if you are a little on the teensy side, are a boy, or you just want to pick up some tees, GO TO THIS STORE!!! It's really good for basics, as long as they fit you!! They also do have some really pretty girl clothes; none of the sizes are standard here, so if you try on a L in one dress and you can't even get it on, you might still fit a S in a different cut. SO WEIRD AND FRUSTRATING.
As I continued my walk down broadway and noticed a display of TOMS in the window of a store. YES!! AND they just so happened to have my size in grey. SCORE!! They are a great pair of comfy and stylish sneakers AND for every pair sold, they donate a pair to a child in a third world country. How great is that!? Plus, they are still under 50 bucks. You can also get limited edition and vegan versions AND you can order them on the internet. TOMS FOR EVERYONE!
One more thing happened while I was downtown...I got stuck in the most fucking insane torrential downpour that I have ever seen in my life. It was CRAZY.
It happened while I was in Uniquo. As I approached the front doors to leave there are a ton of people huddled around them staring at the rain and waiting for it to ease up to go outside. My thoughts went something like this, "what a bunch of pussies. I am smart and I brought an umbrella. Rain does not scare me, I am from Vancouver". I pushed out the door, opened my umbrella and WHAT THE FUCK!? The umbrella, it does NOTHING! It felt like the rain was pouring down in sheets from every conceivable angle. SHEETS!! BUCKETS! WALLS of RAIN. I made it about three storefronts down before I had to take shelter inside.
Holy Moly.
On my way back to the subway (which I keep wanting to call the Metro), some spoiled trust fund teen asked me where the Coach store was, which, despite the fact that she was a spoiled teenager, made me feel good about myself, because it meant that I a) did not look like a frumpy heffer (usually how i feel after shopping) b) did not look like a tourist. Every time someone asks me for directions when I am on a trip, it always gives me a little confidence boost, because it means that I have done an adequate job of fitting into the city that I am visiting. YES!
I had been planning to go to a free Chromeo show on the waterfront, but the rain deterred me. I texted Chris to see what he was up to, and it turned out that the rain had not deterred him from said show, but he would give me a shout later.
After almost giving up on any plans for the evening, the OTHER Chris (Zoe's roommate visiting from London) sent me a last minute text to come and meet him and Olivia and some friends for dinner at Westside, on 11th street and Ave A. Hurray!! I quickly got ready, and hopped on the subway, but SADLY got off way too early!! In a panic, rather than getting back on the subway, I just grabbed a cab which was EXCEEDINGLY SLOW. I was an hour late!!! Thankfully, they had ordered appies and hadn't even ordered dinner yet!! Let me tell you, if you are ever in New York, and especially if you are a vegetarian, you should go to this place. There are a three locations in total.
NOM NOM NOM.
I looked at the menu and was immediately overwhelmed with their "market sides" section - it was basically every type of vegetable that you could hope for, prepared in different ways, to perfection.
But what do these sides come with?!?! I ask myself. WELL it turns out that you can choose to make a meal out of 4 of them for 12 dollars. YUM!! I am the type of person who is perpetually confounded by what to pick on a menu, so this was PERFECT!
I chose, sesame crusted tofu with broccoli, parmesan grilled asparagus, green beans with toasted almonds and lemon and yam fries. SO GOOD.
They also had a lovely organic ale on the menu for 4 dollars a bottle.
I'm really glad that Zoe decided to introduce me to Chris via the internet, because he and Olivia are such lovely lovely people; dinner with their friends was so wonderful and it made me feel a little less lonesome for home.
After dinner, we all had desert (apple pie baked that day with a side of vanilla ice cream).
We then waited out a horrendous downpoor before heading out into the night.
We walked up to the nearest subway, but the wait was 15 minutes so I decided to take a walk up to 6 ave where I could catch the F train without a transfer.
On the way to the train, I duck into a whole foods in search of anything that I can't get in Canada, and I find it, Coconut Milk yoghurt!! This is the stuff that I have only seen on Vegan food blogs. Hurray! Once again, I am astounded by how cheap the groceries are here, even for a whole foods... or rather, how EXPENSIVE everything is in Vancouver. Vancouver MIGHT ACTUALLY be one of the most expensive cities in the world. No joke. Have I mentioned that they include the tax in the tag price of clothes here?? Best thing ever.
As I get in the door, I get a text from Chris asking me to meet him at some party. If it wasn't raining, and I could bike there, I would go. But I feel like I have spent too many dollars and taken too many cabs and subways today and I just need to stay in. Maybe I'm getting old.
We keep trying to make plans, and i really hope that one of the plans will work out before I am too close to leaving. CUTE BOYS!
Today I move into Matt's room on John Street, and I'm meeting up with Chris and Olivia later to go to a show. I've gotten a lot of interest in a karaoke night, and Thursday I'm going bowling. I have one week left and then I'm back in the arms of Vancouver. It's going to be a good week.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
lists and observations
observations about new york
- it is impossible to convey how incredibly hot and uncomfortable subway stations are. it is like traveling into concrete dungeons at the centre of the earth. thank THE LORD that the actual trains are air-conditioned.
- why do people always talk about how great top shop is?? I went into top shot today, and was immediately irritated. it made me think of an over-priced forever 21. WHY ON EARTH would I EVER pay 180 dollars for a dress that it made out of polyester that is ALREADY starting to fall apart before I even take it off the rack?? Why would I do that?? This store, to me, symbolizes what people hate about hipster culture.
- I can't stop eating pizza. I just can't do it. Why is the pizza here so god-damned delicious, and why can't we make it that way in Vancouver?
- all of the men working in clothing stores here look like models. I passed one store today where there were models standing in swim trunks at the doors.
- there is a giant apartment building in brooklyn called "the brooklyner"; it has a giant poster with the name printed on it, and a silhouette behind the letters; the silhouette looks like a cheap stripper... not quite sure what they were going for.
observations in general
- a good way to make yourself feel fat is to go shopping in a store for japanese people. a good way to feel extra frustrated is if the same store also has NO consistent sizing (ie: you will fit a small in one dress, and will not be able to get a large in another dress to even KIND OF fit over your thighs)
- I am addicted to the internet. Also, I have started writing every day, which is a good thing.
- why would anyone, ever, wear a strapless bra with a t-shirt?? you know that they generally pull your boobs DOWN, right?? you know that you can wear straps with a t-shirt... so why not just wear a normal bra??
things that I hope never to become
- one of those women who has gotten too old to go braless, but still thinks it's ok to just wear a thin cotton t-shirt out because she did it when she was in her 20s. sorry, ladies, your boobs are not perky enough to go braless in unstructured clothing forever, particularly if you don't really take care of yourself... enjoy it while you can.
- one of those people who has given up on my appearance, because I have children or because I'm no longer young.
- a really strict and controlling parent
things that I still need to do in New York
- karaoke
- pay more attention to food: I know that this sounds dumb, but I haven't really made any sort of effort to eat anywhere interesting. This week that is going to change. I need to eat some amazing vegan foods!!!
- go to coney island
- go to the Moma
- go to the MET
- find some more interesting clothing stores to go to
- find an interesting and quirky stationery store to get postcards from
I think that I actually listed this and a bunch of other stuff... it's disgusting out today and I am feeling cabin fever-ish and listless. I need something to do!!
- it is impossible to convey how incredibly hot and uncomfortable subway stations are. it is like traveling into concrete dungeons at the centre of the earth. thank THE LORD that the actual trains are air-conditioned.
- why do people always talk about how great top shop is?? I went into top shot today, and was immediately irritated. it made me think of an over-priced forever 21. WHY ON EARTH would I EVER pay 180 dollars for a dress that it made out of polyester that is ALREADY starting to fall apart before I even take it off the rack?? Why would I do that?? This store, to me, symbolizes what people hate about hipster culture.
- I can't stop eating pizza. I just can't do it. Why is the pizza here so god-damned delicious, and why can't we make it that way in Vancouver?
- all of the men working in clothing stores here look like models. I passed one store today where there were models standing in swim trunks at the doors.
- there is a giant apartment building in brooklyn called "the brooklyner"; it has a giant poster with the name printed on it, and a silhouette behind the letters; the silhouette looks like a cheap stripper... not quite sure what they were going for.
observations in general
- a good way to make yourself feel fat is to go shopping in a store for japanese people. a good way to feel extra frustrated is if the same store also has NO consistent sizing (ie: you will fit a small in one dress, and will not be able to get a large in another dress to even KIND OF fit over your thighs)
- I am addicted to the internet. Also, I have started writing every day, which is a good thing.
- why would anyone, ever, wear a strapless bra with a t-shirt?? you know that they generally pull your boobs DOWN, right?? you know that you can wear straps with a t-shirt... so why not just wear a normal bra??
things that I hope never to become
- one of those women who has gotten too old to go braless, but still thinks it's ok to just wear a thin cotton t-shirt out because she did it when she was in her 20s. sorry, ladies, your boobs are not perky enough to go braless in unstructured clothing forever, particularly if you don't really take care of yourself... enjoy it while you can.
- one of those people who has given up on my appearance, because I have children or because I'm no longer young.
- a really strict and controlling parent
things that I still need to do in New York
- karaoke
- pay more attention to food: I know that this sounds dumb, but I haven't really made any sort of effort to eat anywhere interesting. This week that is going to change. I need to eat some amazing vegan foods!!!
- go to coney island
- go to the Moma
- go to the MET
- find some more interesting clothing stores to go to
- find an interesting and quirky stationery store to get postcards from
I think that I actually listed this and a bunch of other stuff... it's disgusting out today and I am feeling cabin fever-ish and listless. I need something to do!!
hangin' out
I head over to Williamsburg by subway; I've been feeling anxious for most of the morning, so I stop in at the Blackbird Parlous and have a glass of wine and write and read Hemingway. I feel better, and I run across the street to the Shoe Warehouse. Sadly, they don't have TOMS in my size, but I bought some great sandals that were 50% off. Hurray!! I head back to DUMBO and sit on the grass in the Brooklyn Bridge park and read. At 5:50, I take my stuff over to Jenna's, hang out for a bit, then bike to Marshall's show. I have a detailed conversation with Karlene, while I'm getting ready, about what I am going to wear. I feel like dressing up, but hate being overdressed. In the end, I say, fuck it, and wear my favourite black and white dress from club monaco, and the new sandals that I picked up earlier. Pretty much as long as it's not a hardcore show, it will be fine.
I get to the Party Expo, a converted party supply store space and find Marshall. The space looks less like a venue and more like a dingy jam space. It makes me think of late nights after Mod Club, and I wonder when the fake karaoke and BBQ Lays chips will be busted out.
The bar isn't open yet, so we run down the street to grab a 6-pack and then drink them in the alley behind the space while we catch up. I haven't seen Marshall in ages, and he is only one of those people who I don't know very well, but we run into each other a couple of times a year and always have really greta conversations. Marshall has just started a new job that involves running around and picking stuff up for production or some show, building sets, some other stuff?? I forget. But he loves it and loves the people he's working with and it pays well, and I'm completely envious. I can't wait until the day when I can say I work in a young, creative and dynamic and challenging environment that also allows me to pay the bills and save a bunch on the side.
The space starts to fill up a bit, and the first band gets ready to go on. It is not a hardcore show; it IS, however, a metal show... which confuses Marshall a bit, because his band is not at all metal, and they are the headliners. Everyone else in the crowd is dressed in cutoffs and ripped tees, and I feel a little out of place, but I also don't really care.
Drinks, bands, chats. I meet a few of Marshall and his bandmates friends, and after the show is over, we decide to head to Bedford Ave to hit a few bars. To avoid my getting lost, I hop on the subway with with a boy named Chris, rather than trying to find my way by bike. We go... somewhere. I don't remember the name of the bar... but we are the first ones there (the band had to drop some gear off), so we grab a few beers and a booth. I don't remember much of what we talked about, except that Chris is also from Ashland, and he moved out here not too long ago and he loves his family a lot and misses them. I tell him that I am always envious of people who are really close to their families. Other people show up, and our booth fills up, and i decide to run across the street and grab Chris and I some pizza. YUM! It has sundried tomatoes and roasted garlic and pesto and a bunch of other crap on it, and it's delicious.
Side note: condiments generally offered in pizza places are salt, pepper, garlic salt, oregano, chili flakes, and SOMETIMES parmesan cheese, which seems to be a bit of a contentious issue. Some places put it out in the open, some places get angry when you ask for it, or in this case, the man behind the counter kind of grumbles at you, runs off somewhere, and then appears a few seconds later with a pile of parmesan bundled up in a piece of wax paper. Pizza politics!!
Back to the bar, we grab a few more drinks and then head somewhere else. I meet some more friends and I forget their names. There's a photobooth in this place and I tell Marshall that he has to get some photos with me before he leaves. It's late, but I have been talking to Chris all night and I am drunk and I decide to stay out later. At the end of the night, I take one more round of photobooth pictures with the three boys who are left at the bar with me.
We then head out, and they all seem concerned for my safety for my bike ride home. I can't tell if they all think that I'm adorable or they all think that I am toooooo drunk or both. Or maybe it's just the way that young men are in new york city; they buy you drinks and they hold open doors, and even if they just met you, they want to make sure that you get home safely.
I try to tell them that I have been biking home every night and that I will be ok, but they all insist that I need to at least borrow a bike light from Matt and his place is around the corner so we walk over and grab it. Before I leave, he insists that I add myself to his facebook via his iPhone.
I walk with Chris and his friend (why can't I just remember names?!?!?!) to the nearest subway station and they convince me that I should not be trying to bike home and that I should actually say in Williamsburg. I say that I will think about it and get on the subway with them and head closer to Chris' place. I am waffling between staying and biking home as I'm suppose to get up early to go on a bike ride with 'roommates' from John Street.
When we get off the subway I decide that I do not, in fact have the energy to bike around getting lost for two hours, so I will crash at Chris' house. We walk a few blocks and head upstairs. I borrow a t-shirt; he puts on some Bat for lashes; we hop into bed; makeouts ensue. As if I didn't know that this was going to happen.
Though I try to wake up early, it's not early enough, especially considering that it will probably take me an hour to get home because I will get lost.
I always feel awkward in the mornings with boys, because I am self conscious and never want to be that girl who hangs around, so instead I probably come across as horribly aloof. Chris and I snuggle and I try to sleep, but I was never good at sleeping in, and New York is so hot and I am worrying that someone needs the only extra set of keys to Jenna's apartment.
Chris offers to bike me home so that I don't get lost, but I tell him not to worry, and he says that I have to at least text him when I get home to make sure that I got there safe.
------------------
I get home and Jenna is gone for the day, and her roommate Henry and his friend wake up soon and I worry that they are judging me. I feel like I should be doing something with my day, but I am exhausted and hung over and all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch movies all day. I want to be alone doing nothing ALL DAY. I always forget how much alone time I need until I am actually around people all the time with no real space of my own.
Eventually, Henry and friend head out for the day to bike around the city. I turn on the TV and watch episodes of scrubs between naps. The Internet informs me that 'roommates' went to dumpster pools on their bike ride, and all of a sudden I feel like a huge loser for letting a night out and a hangover get in the way of one of the main summer things that I was looking forward to in New York. I have missed the dumpster pools. Huge womps. If I had woken up an hour earlier and actually made the effort, I would have had a great sunny day biking around the city with a group of super friendly awesome kids. I care, but also don't. Such is life.
Chris and I text back and forth periodically throughout the day; I hope that we hang out soon, and I am now wishing that since noone needed my keys, that I had just stayed and hung out all morning - we would probably be grabbing brunch right now.
Later, I grab sushi at a spot next door. I'm sitting at my table, reading Hemingway when I'm interrupted by some old guy at the table next to me. You know those people who you can just tell are creeps and are looking for some excuse to interrupt whatever you're doing because somehow they imagine that you will magically be interested in them; the ones who seem to think that you're probably just pretending to be reading and you're just waiting with baited breath until they talk to you, because you really want to sit and have a glass of wine with some gross out of touch 70 year old guy? This was one of those guys.
"So, do you like Hemingway?" He says this in a manner that is at once trying (and failing) to be seductive, and also trying to somehow make me believe that he is much more clever and wise than I am at my young, tender age. I don't know how to describe it.
I answer "yes" curtly, and though it's clear that I'm ignoring him, I can feel him staring at me with a lecherous grin on his face. sick.
A few moments later, he gets the hint and stands up to leave; he stumbles and falls over, and normally I would be concerned, but he isn't really hurt and he's such a creep that I feel that he deserves this ego bruising for trying to make me uncomfortable. Why do a few creepy old men have to ruin things for other people? I'm sure that there are a lot of nicer old men out there who just like talking to young people, who women just assume are total creeps because of assholes like this one.
I go home, and run into new roommates, who are heading out to dinner. They are going out for drinks later, and I say that I might join them but I'm not sure. A few hours later, they have not returned, and I realize that they were heading straight out. I'm disappointed and relieved at the same time. All this drinking is taking its toll. I'm not as young as I used to be!!! I text them to see about meeting up and they are has some bar in Manhattan and the idea of trying to get there on my own is too tiring so I stay in. Henry and his friend her in around and immediately go to bed. I stay up a bit later and then dose off.
At 3 am, I am woken up by Andrew, the other roommate getting home from the bar. Andrew is what I would call a "character". He grabs some leftovers from the fridge, gives me a hard time for not coming out (so... you had to stay in and sleep because you have so much work to do tomorrow? [not in an asshole way]), he rolls a joint and tries to smoke it, but the paper ripped and it doesn't work out. He then decides to make a pear bong, and smokes pot over the stove while blowing the smoke up the fume hood. He offers me some, but I fear that if I smoke any that I will get a second wind and stay up until 4 am watching documentaries on the tv.
A while later, he heads to bed and I fall back to sleep.
Meoooooooooow. Today there is suppose to be a bbq on the roof, and I was going to go to the waterfront to watch chromeo later, but it's raining and there are lightning storms in the forecast. So who knows. I think that I am going to go shopping and to pick up some postcards to send to my favourite lady friends. I miss home.
SIDE NOTES:
-Dumbo is a really small neighbourhood that is kind of tedious to get out of. There is only one place that is open for breakfast before 11 am, so I have been there a few times. Every time I am disappointed with their food and I want to punch someone (I only keep coming because I need somewhere to write in the mornings where I can actually eat something). The SPACE is nice enough, but the breakfast is so boring I could cry, their hashbrowns are at once oily and watery, and I just got a refill on my coffee that tastes so burnt that I could vomit.
- I wish that I could get over being incredibly self conscious when it comes to boys and to asking people who I think are really cool to hang out. I wish that I was at my other home away from home this weekend, because Rian is awesome and I would really like to hang out with her more before I leave. Also, I would actually really just like to hang out with Chris tonight, and he clearly likes me because he was texting me all day yesterday, but I get nervous!!!
- I have just over a week left. This week I am going to go to Coney Island, the MET and the MoMa. I also need to hang out with Codrin's friend ________ who I have to give a package to on his behalf. I also need to find some moonshine distillery to get some for Mike, pick up some stationery, and AT LEAST ONCE go to karaoke. Miles promised me some karaoke when he gets to town, but who knows when that will be or if we will actually hang out. Funny coincidence: all of the people who I have hung out that I know from Vancouver so far are young men who are also drummers.
- Embarrassing admission... I didn't remember Chris' name in the morning. He had entered it into my iphone with his contact info, but i couldn't remember what it was...I handed my phone to him in the morning, and he said, "oh wait, didn't I enter my info last night??" I said that I didn't remember, but still handed it to him to check, because I didn't know what name to look for. I AM AN ASSHOLE.
- I have eczema on my feet. I lknow. It's gross. Maybe too much information. I had finally gotten it under control just before I left for New York, but the humidity here is killing me. TOTALLY GROSS. My feet look disgusting and it's embarrassing. Plus, they are so uncomfortable that I could die. I HATE MY SKIN!!! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO SENSITIVE AND GROSS?!?!
The restaurant is now filling up, so maybe I should not be that asshole taking up space with my laptop. Besides, it's 12 and if I want to get some shopping donw before evening, I had better get this show on the road.
Meep.
I get to the Party Expo, a converted party supply store space and find Marshall. The space looks less like a venue and more like a dingy jam space. It makes me think of late nights after Mod Club, and I wonder when the fake karaoke and BBQ Lays chips will be busted out.
The bar isn't open yet, so we run down the street to grab a 6-pack and then drink them in the alley behind the space while we catch up. I haven't seen Marshall in ages, and he is only one of those people who I don't know very well, but we run into each other a couple of times a year and always have really greta conversations. Marshall has just started a new job that involves running around and picking stuff up for production or some show, building sets, some other stuff?? I forget. But he loves it and loves the people he's working with and it pays well, and I'm completely envious. I can't wait until the day when I can say I work in a young, creative and dynamic and challenging environment that also allows me to pay the bills and save a bunch on the side.
The space starts to fill up a bit, and the first band gets ready to go on. It is not a hardcore show; it IS, however, a metal show... which confuses Marshall a bit, because his band is not at all metal, and they are the headliners. Everyone else in the crowd is dressed in cutoffs and ripped tees, and I feel a little out of place, but I also don't really care.
Drinks, bands, chats. I meet a few of Marshall and his bandmates friends, and after the show is over, we decide to head to Bedford Ave to hit a few bars. To avoid my getting lost, I hop on the subway with with a boy named Chris, rather than trying to find my way by bike. We go... somewhere. I don't remember the name of the bar... but we are the first ones there (the band had to drop some gear off), so we grab a few beers and a booth. I don't remember much of what we talked about, except that Chris is also from Ashland, and he moved out here not too long ago and he loves his family a lot and misses them. I tell him that I am always envious of people who are really close to their families. Other people show up, and our booth fills up, and i decide to run across the street and grab Chris and I some pizza. YUM! It has sundried tomatoes and roasted garlic and pesto and a bunch of other crap on it, and it's delicious.
Side note: condiments generally offered in pizza places are salt, pepper, garlic salt, oregano, chili flakes, and SOMETIMES parmesan cheese, which seems to be a bit of a contentious issue. Some places put it out in the open, some places get angry when you ask for it, or in this case, the man behind the counter kind of grumbles at you, runs off somewhere, and then appears a few seconds later with a pile of parmesan bundled up in a piece of wax paper. Pizza politics!!
Back to the bar, we grab a few more drinks and then head somewhere else. I meet some more friends and I forget their names. There's a photobooth in this place and I tell Marshall that he has to get some photos with me before he leaves. It's late, but I have been talking to Chris all night and I am drunk and I decide to stay out later. At the end of the night, I take one more round of photobooth pictures with the three boys who are left at the bar with me.
We then head out, and they all seem concerned for my safety for my bike ride home. I can't tell if they all think that I'm adorable or they all think that I am toooooo drunk or both. Or maybe it's just the way that young men are in new york city; they buy you drinks and they hold open doors, and even if they just met you, they want to make sure that you get home safely.
I try to tell them that I have been biking home every night and that I will be ok, but they all insist that I need to at least borrow a bike light from Matt and his place is around the corner so we walk over and grab it. Before I leave, he insists that I add myself to his facebook via his iPhone.
I walk with Chris and his friend (why can't I just remember names?!?!?!) to the nearest subway station and they convince me that I should not be trying to bike home and that I should actually say in Williamsburg. I say that I will think about it and get on the subway with them and head closer to Chris' place. I am waffling between staying and biking home as I'm suppose to get up early to go on a bike ride with 'roommates' from John Street.
When we get off the subway I decide that I do not, in fact have the energy to bike around getting lost for two hours, so I will crash at Chris' house. We walk a few blocks and head upstairs. I borrow a t-shirt; he puts on some Bat for lashes; we hop into bed; makeouts ensue. As if I didn't know that this was going to happen.
Though I try to wake up early, it's not early enough, especially considering that it will probably take me an hour to get home because I will get lost.
I always feel awkward in the mornings with boys, because I am self conscious and never want to be that girl who hangs around, so instead I probably come across as horribly aloof. Chris and I snuggle and I try to sleep, but I was never good at sleeping in, and New York is so hot and I am worrying that someone needs the only extra set of keys to Jenna's apartment.
Chris offers to bike me home so that I don't get lost, but I tell him not to worry, and he says that I have to at least text him when I get home to make sure that I got there safe.
------------------
I get home and Jenna is gone for the day, and her roommate Henry and his friend wake up soon and I worry that they are judging me. I feel like I should be doing something with my day, but I am exhausted and hung over and all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch movies all day. I want to be alone doing nothing ALL DAY. I always forget how much alone time I need until I am actually around people all the time with no real space of my own.
Eventually, Henry and friend head out for the day to bike around the city. I turn on the TV and watch episodes of scrubs between naps. The Internet informs me that 'roommates' went to dumpster pools on their bike ride, and all of a sudden I feel like a huge loser for letting a night out and a hangover get in the way of one of the main summer things that I was looking forward to in New York. I have missed the dumpster pools. Huge womps. If I had woken up an hour earlier and actually made the effort, I would have had a great sunny day biking around the city with a group of super friendly awesome kids. I care, but also don't. Such is life.
Chris and I text back and forth periodically throughout the day; I hope that we hang out soon, and I am now wishing that since noone needed my keys, that I had just stayed and hung out all morning - we would probably be grabbing brunch right now.
Later, I grab sushi at a spot next door. I'm sitting at my table, reading Hemingway when I'm interrupted by some old guy at the table next to me. You know those people who you can just tell are creeps and are looking for some excuse to interrupt whatever you're doing because somehow they imagine that you will magically be interested in them; the ones who seem to think that you're probably just pretending to be reading and you're just waiting with baited breath until they talk to you, because you really want to sit and have a glass of wine with some gross out of touch 70 year old guy? This was one of those guys.
"So, do you like Hemingway?" He says this in a manner that is at once trying (and failing) to be seductive, and also trying to somehow make me believe that he is much more clever and wise than I am at my young, tender age. I don't know how to describe it.
I answer "yes" curtly, and though it's clear that I'm ignoring him, I can feel him staring at me with a lecherous grin on his face. sick.
A few moments later, he gets the hint and stands up to leave; he stumbles and falls over, and normally I would be concerned, but he isn't really hurt and he's such a creep that I feel that he deserves this ego bruising for trying to make me uncomfortable. Why do a few creepy old men have to ruin things for other people? I'm sure that there are a lot of nicer old men out there who just like talking to young people, who women just assume are total creeps because of assholes like this one.
I go home, and run into new roommates, who are heading out to dinner. They are going out for drinks later, and I say that I might join them but I'm not sure. A few hours later, they have not returned, and I realize that they were heading straight out. I'm disappointed and relieved at the same time. All this drinking is taking its toll. I'm not as young as I used to be!!! I text them to see about meeting up and they are has some bar in Manhattan and the idea of trying to get there on my own is too tiring so I stay in. Henry and his friend her in around and immediately go to bed. I stay up a bit later and then dose off.
At 3 am, I am woken up by Andrew, the other roommate getting home from the bar. Andrew is what I would call a "character". He grabs some leftovers from the fridge, gives me a hard time for not coming out (so... you had to stay in and sleep because you have so much work to do tomorrow? [not in an asshole way]), he rolls a joint and tries to smoke it, but the paper ripped and it doesn't work out. He then decides to make a pear bong, and smokes pot over the stove while blowing the smoke up the fume hood. He offers me some, but I fear that if I smoke any that I will get a second wind and stay up until 4 am watching documentaries on the tv.
A while later, he heads to bed and I fall back to sleep.
Meoooooooooow. Today there is suppose to be a bbq on the roof, and I was going to go to the waterfront to watch chromeo later, but it's raining and there are lightning storms in the forecast. So who knows. I think that I am going to go shopping and to pick up some postcards to send to my favourite lady friends. I miss home.
SIDE NOTES:
-Dumbo is a really small neighbourhood that is kind of tedious to get out of. There is only one place that is open for breakfast before 11 am, so I have been there a few times. Every time I am disappointed with their food and I want to punch someone (I only keep coming because I need somewhere to write in the mornings where I can actually eat something). The SPACE is nice enough, but the breakfast is so boring I could cry, their hashbrowns are at once oily and watery, and I just got a refill on my coffee that tastes so burnt that I could vomit.
- I wish that I could get over being incredibly self conscious when it comes to boys and to asking people who I think are really cool to hang out. I wish that I was at my other home away from home this weekend, because Rian is awesome and I would really like to hang out with her more before I leave. Also, I would actually really just like to hang out with Chris tonight, and he clearly likes me because he was texting me all day yesterday, but I get nervous!!!
- I have just over a week left. This week I am going to go to Coney Island, the MET and the MoMa. I also need to hang out with Codrin's friend ________ who I have to give a package to on his behalf. I also need to find some moonshine distillery to get some for Mike, pick up some stationery, and AT LEAST ONCE go to karaoke. Miles promised me some karaoke when he gets to town, but who knows when that will be or if we will actually hang out. Funny coincidence: all of the people who I have hung out that I know from Vancouver so far are young men who are also drummers.
- Embarrassing admission... I didn't remember Chris' name in the morning. He had entered it into my iphone with his contact info, but i couldn't remember what it was...I handed my phone to him in the morning, and he said, "oh wait, didn't I enter my info last night??" I said that I didn't remember, but still handed it to him to check, because I didn't know what name to look for. I AM AN ASSHOLE.
- I have eczema on my feet. I lknow. It's gross. Maybe too much information. I had finally gotten it under control just before I left for New York, but the humidity here is killing me. TOTALLY GROSS. My feet look disgusting and it's embarrassing. Plus, they are so uncomfortable that I could die. I HATE MY SKIN!!! WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO SENSITIVE AND GROSS?!?!
The restaurant is now filling up, so maybe I should not be that asshole taking up space with my laptop. Besides, it's 12 and if I want to get some shopping donw before evening, I had better get this show on the road.
Meep.
Friday, August 20, 2010
(le) sigh
I head on my bike up to the Brooklyn Museum. It turns out that my Google Maps directions are ALMOST right... but one of the streets turns into something else, and there are no instructions for what I am suppose to do on this new street. I'm lost (surprise!!) I bike around until I find a bike shop and the people working there give me very explicit directions and I finally get there. If you have never been to the Brooklyn Museum, you might be thinking to yourself, "it must be a small museum about the history of Brooklyn or something, am I right?" No, you are not right. The Brooklyn Museum is a HUGE museum containing collections ranging from Ancient Egypt (including a collection of mummies) to a visiting Andy Warhol exhibit, and pretty much everything in between. I tried to include a list here, but it was simply too long. If you ever come to New York GO TO THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM!! I promise that you won't regret it. Admission is by donation, but even the suggested donation is fairly low (I think that it's under 10 bucks); if you get there early, you can throw admission to the Botanical Gardens on for a few extra bucks. WHAT A DEAL!!! I did NOT make it there early, and sadly did not have the time to make it to the botanical gardens. Though I enjoy cycling immensely, I am starting to question my strategy... if I were taking the subway, I would invariably, get lost less and have more time to see things. It would also, presumably take me less time to get to wherever I'm going even if I don't get lost (at least when I am going to major tourist attractions... not so much if I am going to some bar in Williamsburg, especially since I'm told that there are no trains that go across Brooklyn, so you have to train downtown and then back over to Brooklyn on a different line)
I take my time wandering through the various exhibits and not for the first time since I've gotten to New York, I feel incredibly lonely. I can't help but compare this trip to my trip to Paris; while I remember being alone there, I don't think that it bothered me so much. There was something romantic about being on my own in the big city and giving myself over and letting it swallow me whole. Maybe I was so use to loneliness then that it was just nice to be lonely in a new place. I'm still use to feeling lonely, but not at all in the same way. I miss familiarity; I miss Karlene and Ayma; I miss getting phone calls and texts and intimate conversations; I miss my cats. If I want to be honest with myself, I also miss Jake. He's the person who I thought of the most while walking through the museum, and I almost started to cry. If things could have worked out differently, this is a trip that I would have taken with Jake. I always think of him when I feel completely and utterly alone, and I wonder when this will finally change, or if I will think of him in this melancholy and painful way for the rest of my life. Despite everything, he is still closer to my heart than any other person has ever been. He is the only person who I have really ever just fully and completely allowed myself to love. And while I like to think that I have moved on in so many ways, I am so tired of feeling my heart tethered to his whenever I feel sad. I wish that I could stop wishing that things could have worked out and that he were here.
THE SAD FEELING!!
*phew*
Ok, before I start bawling in the middle of this cafe, time to get back to the museum!!
The OTHER thoughts that I am having while walking through this museum are "HOLY SHIT!! I get to see relics from fucking ANCIENT EGYPT AND Warhol pieces AND paintings by the likes of Picasso and Matisse AND culturally significant pieces from small tribes in Africa AND AND AND AND... for SIX DOLLARS?!?? WHAT THE FUCK. THIS IS FUCKING INCREDIBLE." How is this even possible?? At other points in history, there is just no way that someone of my specific socio-economic status would ever be able to see so much beautiful and incredible art so up close and personal. I feel so incredibly lucky and overwhelmed by it all.
It blows my mind when walking through various exhibits (especially on Egypt) that there was someone using these objects thousands of years ago. Like, this necklace with a scarab on it... four thousand years ago, some egyptian girl was getting ready for her day in the morning, deciding what to wear, thinking about the things that she had to get done or a boy she had a crush on, and she put on this necklace, FOUR THOUSAND YEARS AGO. And now, here I am, looking at it in a museum. Isn't that fucking incredible?!?!
After the museum, I bike around and get lost, and find my way, and arrive at home. I reheat leftovers from last night's dinner. Matt is home and I finally have a chance to talk to him about the possibility of staying here longer. The plan is that I will crash at Jenna's for the weekend to give them a houseguest break, and then I will come back on Monday afternoon, when Matt will be heading to Vietnam until early September. Matt says that during this time, I can rent out his room for the same price I have been paying for the mezzanine. Basically a hundred bucks. How lucky am I?!? I text Jenna immediately to make sure it is ok that I stay there, and she says it's ok, but it will be a bit tricky because there are not enough sets of keys. She seems a little bit less enthusiastic than when she offered up the possibility the night before, but I'm sure that it will be ALRIGHT!
I head out to the park because I am going to see an outdoor movie. As I'm walking through DUMBO, I pass a bank and decide to try one more time to get money out. SUCCESS!! Vancity has clearly resolved the problem, but DIDN'T send me an email confirmation like I asked them to, so I am still kind of miffed. But hurray!! I have cash!! The other thing that I pass is this incredible candy store. I am not normally a candy person, but holy moly this place BLOWS MY MIND. There is basically every kind of candy imaginable; I can't help myself - I grab a bag and start filling it up with sugary treats. By the time I get to the counter, I have collected a POUND of candy. no joke.
I bike over to the Brooklyn Bridge park, and then a few minutes later decide that I will actually head over to Manhattan to meet Zoe's roommate and co for Muppets take Manhattan. Movies!!
i arrive to find that there area limited number of seats, despite the fact that it is an open air event. It's 'sold out'!. womps. I text Chris, and it turns out that they didn't get in either, so I head over towards the Pier to meet them. So there's Chris, his girlfriend, and another friend of theirs. I am an asshole and I currently forget their names, but they are lovely lovely lovely people. His girlfriend is the cutest little button pretty much ever. We sit on the pier and drink a few beers from my backpack and eat candy. We then head to a few different bars and end up having intense and serious conversations about various social issues and also about history and blah blah blah blah. What a great evening!
Around 11:30, they get really sleepy and we decide to call it a night. I have yet to have a crazy night out on the town. In fact, I have yet to even wear out ONE fancy dress!! What gives!! I hope that that will change this weekend.
I am suppose to go an see a show that Marshall is playing tonight, but he has yet to get back to me with a location and time etc etc, and I'm not really sure what to make of that, and I guess that I might end up going to see Pirhanna 3D with Casper and Rian instead.
When I get up in the morning, I shower quickly and pack up all of my things. Jenna has not yet told me when I should swing by, but I basically want to be ready at a moment's notice, because I don't want to wear out my welcome with the kids on John Street. I head over to the Dumbo General Store for breakfast and to type away. Their food is pretty decent but incredibly overpriced, but I don't know where else to go for breakfast food that is nearby.
Today my plan is to take it easy, and maybe head into Williamsburg to try to track down a pair of TOMS shoes in my size. I know that I can get them online, but I love them and would really like to be able to snag a pair while I am here.
As I type this, it's 11 am and my battery is about to run out and the cafe is finally starting to fill up with the regular breakfast crowd. Time to get this show on the road!!
11 days remain!
I take my time wandering through the various exhibits and not for the first time since I've gotten to New York, I feel incredibly lonely. I can't help but compare this trip to my trip to Paris; while I remember being alone there, I don't think that it bothered me so much. There was something romantic about being on my own in the big city and giving myself over and letting it swallow me whole. Maybe I was so use to loneliness then that it was just nice to be lonely in a new place. I'm still use to feeling lonely, but not at all in the same way. I miss familiarity; I miss Karlene and Ayma; I miss getting phone calls and texts and intimate conversations; I miss my cats. If I want to be honest with myself, I also miss Jake. He's the person who I thought of the most while walking through the museum, and I almost started to cry. If things could have worked out differently, this is a trip that I would have taken with Jake. I always think of him when I feel completely and utterly alone, and I wonder when this will finally change, or if I will think of him in this melancholy and painful way for the rest of my life. Despite everything, he is still closer to my heart than any other person has ever been. He is the only person who I have really ever just fully and completely allowed myself to love. And while I like to think that I have moved on in so many ways, I am so tired of feeling my heart tethered to his whenever I feel sad. I wish that I could stop wishing that things could have worked out and that he were here.
THE SAD FEELING!!
*phew*
Ok, before I start bawling in the middle of this cafe, time to get back to the museum!!
The OTHER thoughts that I am having while walking through this museum are "HOLY SHIT!! I get to see relics from fucking ANCIENT EGYPT AND Warhol pieces AND paintings by the likes of Picasso and Matisse AND culturally significant pieces from small tribes in Africa AND AND AND AND... for SIX DOLLARS?!?? WHAT THE FUCK. THIS IS FUCKING INCREDIBLE." How is this even possible?? At other points in history, there is just no way that someone of my specific socio-economic status would ever be able to see so much beautiful and incredible art so up close and personal. I feel so incredibly lucky and overwhelmed by it all.
It blows my mind when walking through various exhibits (especially on Egypt) that there was someone using these objects thousands of years ago. Like, this necklace with a scarab on it... four thousand years ago, some egyptian girl was getting ready for her day in the morning, deciding what to wear, thinking about the things that she had to get done or a boy she had a crush on, and she put on this necklace, FOUR THOUSAND YEARS AGO. And now, here I am, looking at it in a museum. Isn't that fucking incredible?!?!
After the museum, I bike around and get lost, and find my way, and arrive at home. I reheat leftovers from last night's dinner. Matt is home and I finally have a chance to talk to him about the possibility of staying here longer. The plan is that I will crash at Jenna's for the weekend to give them a houseguest break, and then I will come back on Monday afternoon, when Matt will be heading to Vietnam until early September. Matt says that during this time, I can rent out his room for the same price I have been paying for the mezzanine. Basically a hundred bucks. How lucky am I?!? I text Jenna immediately to make sure it is ok that I stay there, and she says it's ok, but it will be a bit tricky because there are not enough sets of keys. She seems a little bit less enthusiastic than when she offered up the possibility the night before, but I'm sure that it will be ALRIGHT!
I head out to the park because I am going to see an outdoor movie. As I'm walking through DUMBO, I pass a bank and decide to try one more time to get money out. SUCCESS!! Vancity has clearly resolved the problem, but DIDN'T send me an email confirmation like I asked them to, so I am still kind of miffed. But hurray!! I have cash!! The other thing that I pass is this incredible candy store. I am not normally a candy person, but holy moly this place BLOWS MY MIND. There is basically every kind of candy imaginable; I can't help myself - I grab a bag and start filling it up with sugary treats. By the time I get to the counter, I have collected a POUND of candy. no joke.
I bike over to the Brooklyn Bridge park, and then a few minutes later decide that I will actually head over to Manhattan to meet Zoe's roommate and co for Muppets take Manhattan. Movies!!
i arrive to find that there area limited number of seats, despite the fact that it is an open air event. It's 'sold out'!. womps. I text Chris, and it turns out that they didn't get in either, so I head over towards the Pier to meet them. So there's Chris, his girlfriend, and another friend of theirs. I am an asshole and I currently forget their names, but they are lovely lovely lovely people. His girlfriend is the cutest little button pretty much ever. We sit on the pier and drink a few beers from my backpack and eat candy. We then head to a few different bars and end up having intense and serious conversations about various social issues and also about history and blah blah blah blah. What a great evening!
Around 11:30, they get really sleepy and we decide to call it a night. I have yet to have a crazy night out on the town. In fact, I have yet to even wear out ONE fancy dress!! What gives!! I hope that that will change this weekend.
I am suppose to go an see a show that Marshall is playing tonight, but he has yet to get back to me with a location and time etc etc, and I'm not really sure what to make of that, and I guess that I might end up going to see Pirhanna 3D with Casper and Rian instead.
When I get up in the morning, I shower quickly and pack up all of my things. Jenna has not yet told me when I should swing by, but I basically want to be ready at a moment's notice, because I don't want to wear out my welcome with the kids on John Street. I head over to the Dumbo General Store for breakfast and to type away. Their food is pretty decent but incredibly overpriced, but I don't know where else to go for breakfast food that is nearby.
Today my plan is to take it easy, and maybe head into Williamsburg to try to track down a pair of TOMS shoes in my size. I know that I can get them online, but I love them and would really like to be able to snag a pair while I am here.
As I type this, it's 11 am and my battery is about to run out and the cafe is finally starting to fill up with the regular breakfast crowd. Time to get this show on the road!!
11 days remain!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Panic
After I leave the Blackbird Parlour, I decide to run home and then go and get some groceries. I got a liiiiittle bit lost on the way home, but I figured it out and everything was ok. I feel like I should probably make something for dins before heading out, so I walk up to Trader Joe's for groceries... speaking of which... yesterday's grocery bill was a grand total30 dollars. This included a huge amount of broccoli and mushrooms, a tub of heirloom tomatoes, organic pasta sauce, fresh tortellini, veggie sausage, happy planet-esque juice, a lara bar, a giant tub of hummous, and a 6 pack of beer. This would have EASILY cost 50 bucks in Vancouver. Just sayin'. On the way home, I decide that I need to grab some cash, since I am down to my last 3 dollars of the money I took out before I left home. I walk into an HSBC and request 300 dollars. *INSUFFICIENT FUNDS* WHAT THE FUCK?! I know that this isn't true, but have a mini panic attack and run to the nearest Starbucks to take advantage of their free wireless to check my account. I MOST DEFINITELY have enough money, several times over. I'm confused and irritated, but figure that I will try a different bank machine later.
I am running late for meeting up with Jenna (Mikey's roommate), but send her a text to let her know that I am running WAY behind. (side note: Vancouverites are almost always late, am I right?? Especially to meet up at a show. New Yorkers, I think, are not.)
I eat dinner quickly, and run out the door, I stop at a bank on my way out... *INSUFFICIENT FUNDS* I try taking out 200 dollars instead and I get the same message. ARGH!! I run back home and send Vancity an angry email. I would just CALL them, but it would cost a bagillion dollars. I definitely called them before I left to let them know that I would be traveling this month, so there is no reason that my debit card should not be working. FRUSTRATION! Particularly since a lot of places in New York are cash only.
I text Jenna again, because at this point, I am running almost an hour late. I bike over the Manhattan Bridge and kind of lose my way, but ask for directions and am soon standing in font of the Rockwood Music Hall; it's a large venue that is made up of three smaller rooms - every night they have free performances in all of the rooms, with acts playing 30 minute sets. NEAT!
I find Jenna and she's there with Jen and Jen's mom and their family friend. I thought that there would be more people our age with us, but hey. Jen's mom, being a mom, buys my beer, which is really lovely of her. Her mom and friend soon leave, and we grab another drink. The girls are friends with one of the bands that just played and none of them have eaten, so we decide to grab some pizza around the corner. The pizza place is CASH ONLY, but Jen grabs me a slice. THANKS!
We meet up with another friend and then hop over to a dirty little bar (I forget what it's called) where they are playing pop punk and they serve 2 dollar cans of pbr. For some reason, I feel like Mike Lecky should be here with me. We have a few drinks, but everyone aside from me has to work in the morning, so soon we call it a night.
I bike home quickly without getting lost, though I am mildly shaken up and disturbed, because I pass an intersection where a cyclist was hit by a car; they were clearly not using lights or a helmet, and it looks bad. PLEASE BE SAFE, FRIENDS!!!
I have not yet talked to my roommates about staying here longer, but Jenna has offered her couch if I need a place to crash. HURRAY!!
----------------
In the morning, I chat with Rian for a bit. She seems super nice and awesome and like we would really get along, but we haven't really had a chance to hang out yet. I am looking on the internet for interesting things to do today, and she suggests the Brooklyn Museum, which has a Warhol exhibit right now. Hurray! It is also right next to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and you can get a combo pass for a suggested 9 dollar donation as a student (or less...).
Tonight, I am planning pack a picnic and hit Movies with a View in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. They are playing the Blues Brothers. Rian sounds stoked and I hope that some of the roommates will join me.
I also HOPE that Vancity will fix my fucking bank card!!! *grumblecakes*
Thank GOD my visa is alive and kicking.
Today is going to be great!!
I am running late for meeting up with Jenna (Mikey's roommate), but send her a text to let her know that I am running WAY behind. (side note: Vancouverites are almost always late, am I right?? Especially to meet up at a show. New Yorkers, I think, are not.)
I eat dinner quickly, and run out the door, I stop at a bank on my way out... *INSUFFICIENT FUNDS* I try taking out 200 dollars instead and I get the same message. ARGH!! I run back home and send Vancity an angry email. I would just CALL them, but it would cost a bagillion dollars. I definitely called them before I left to let them know that I would be traveling this month, so there is no reason that my debit card should not be working. FRUSTRATION! Particularly since a lot of places in New York are cash only.
I text Jenna again, because at this point, I am running almost an hour late. I bike over the Manhattan Bridge and kind of lose my way, but ask for directions and am soon standing in font of the Rockwood Music Hall; it's a large venue that is made up of three smaller rooms - every night they have free performances in all of the rooms, with acts playing 30 minute sets. NEAT!
I find Jenna and she's there with Jen and Jen's mom and their family friend. I thought that there would be more people our age with us, but hey. Jen's mom, being a mom, buys my beer, which is really lovely of her. Her mom and friend soon leave, and we grab another drink. The girls are friends with one of the bands that just played and none of them have eaten, so we decide to grab some pizza around the corner. The pizza place is CASH ONLY, but Jen grabs me a slice. THANKS!
We meet up with another friend and then hop over to a dirty little bar (I forget what it's called) where they are playing pop punk and they serve 2 dollar cans of pbr. For some reason, I feel like Mike Lecky should be here with me. We have a few drinks, but everyone aside from me has to work in the morning, so soon we call it a night.
I bike home quickly without getting lost, though I am mildly shaken up and disturbed, because I pass an intersection where a cyclist was hit by a car; they were clearly not using lights or a helmet, and it looks bad. PLEASE BE SAFE, FRIENDS!!!
I have not yet talked to my roommates about staying here longer, but Jenna has offered her couch if I need a place to crash. HURRAY!!
----------------
In the morning, I chat with Rian for a bit. She seems super nice and awesome and like we would really get along, but we haven't really had a chance to hang out yet. I am looking on the internet for interesting things to do today, and she suggests the Brooklyn Museum, which has a Warhol exhibit right now. Hurray! It is also right next to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, and you can get a combo pass for a suggested 9 dollar donation as a student (or less...).
Tonight, I am planning pack a picnic and hit Movies with a View in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. They are playing the Blues Brothers. Rian sounds stoked and I hope that some of the roommates will join me.
I also HOPE that Vancity will fix my fucking bank card!!! *grumblecakes*
Thank GOD my visa is alive and kicking.
Today is going to be great!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Getting lost less, and more old friends.
I wake up at my usual time, around 9 or 10. It's funny how as soon as I adjust to jet-lag, my body is on the exact same schedule that it would have been on at home. I've adjusted a bit to the disgusting heat wave that is my mezzanine bedroom in the mornings, and it would seem that I am not as light of a sleeper as usual (though maybe the fact that I have been going to sleep a little bit drunk every night). One thing that I have realized about the beer. Ok, so american beer has less alcohol in it than canadian beer, right? For someone like me, who just loves drinking beer, and who perpetually needs a glass in my hand, this is actually a VERY GOOD THING. It means that I can have 7 beers in an evening, and be pleasantly drunk rather than loser drunk. Who would have thunk it??
Anyways, I make breakfast, dress, blah blah blah, and I'm out the door. Today is the day that I am going to see the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. HURRRAY!!!!
It takes an hour to get there, but today, I take that Hudson River Greenway on the West side of Manhattan rather than the godawful whatever the unfinished bikeroute on the East side is called or 6th avenue. For once, I DON'T GET LOST. I ride the greenway until I hit about 70th street, then head East to Central Park, which the Natural History Museum borders. By the time that I get there, I am already hungry again. Biking takes a lot of energy! I decide to look for some New York pizza, and stumble upon Ray's pizza which, according to New York Magazine readers, is one of the best places for pizza in the city. I'm not surprised with this assessment. The pizza is HUGE and DELICIOUS. Today I am really glad that I am no longer a vegan. I get a huge slice covered with several types of cheese and a whole swack of spinach. I'm in heaven. The pizza here is about 4 bucks rather than the dollar slices that I am use to in Vancouver... but then again, it also doesn't taste like re-heated cardboard like Vancouver dollar slice. Once I've scarfed down my slice, I walk over to the museum. Like all government/museum/whatever buildings, the facade of this one is impressively ornate, and there is a huge memorial statue at the front. I wait in line for about 25 minutes, and pay 5 dollars to get in (the suggested donation is 12 for a student, but they don't hassle you if you pay less) I BRIEFLY considered paying a dollar but didn't want to seem like a COMPLETE asshole.
I'm in!
Let me just express.... the SIZE of this museum is absolutely shocking, and the quality of the exhibits is just phenomenal. The curators here must me the coolest biology and anthropology nerds to ever roam the Earth; working here would pretty much be my biology nerd dream job. The museum covers EVERYTHING: dinosaurs, sea creatures, gem stones, the creation of life on earth, indigenous people's from across the globe, both past and present... bacteria, plants, the evolution of vertebrates, mammals, small creatures and birds from around the Earth. EVERYTHING. It seemed like it was impossible that every turn I made, somehow there was just MORE... it was like being inside the carpet bag of museums. I spent 6 hours there, and still had to skim some of the exhibits. You could easily spend a full week here, so if you go, I'd recommend that you at least give yourself a full day!!
Around 5, I text Malcolm to see what the deal is with his show tonight (thankyou cheap disposable cellular technology!!!) He says that I should meet him at the Blackbird Parlour on Bedford street at 6:30, and gives me subway instructions for how to get there. I briefly consider biking, but know that it will take me well over an hour. Time for my first subway experience!! I get in line to ask the subway attendant for the best way to get to the L train, as I can't find the line on the giant map on the wall. She is grumpy and unimpressed and acts as though I have just asked her if she could please give me 25 cents, because I am just trying to find enough money to get into a hostel for the night, also, could she please buy me a slice of pizza. She doesn't explain anything, so I ask her if there is anywhere that I can get a map that I can carry with me. She hands me one, and I walk away. After staring at the map for a few minutes, I find my stop, and it's only one transfer to get to where I'm going. Hurray! Buy a ticket, shove my bike through the gate, and I'm on my way.
I get to the Blackbird 5 minutes late, but Malcolm's not there yet anyways, so I grab a beer and write in my sketchbook for a bit.
20 minutes later, Malcolm is here! What is better than seeing a friendly face in a strange city. I feel like it's a strange thing for our generation. The other day, in my brain, I came up with the term "debt-setters"; it's a combination between debt and jet-setters. Get it?? (I thought that it was clever... am I right??) When in history has it been possible for people living on mediocre incomes to just hop on a plane and travel all over the world basically whenever we want. It's fucking crazy! I mean, how is it possible that I travelled to New York, and completely BY CHANCE, I will meet up with at least 4 different friends from Vancouver who will just happen to be passing through town at the same time I will??
But I digress... Malcolm and I grab a beer and catch up. I haven't really hung out with Malcolm in ages, and it's really nice to hear about what is happening in his life these days.
When we're done our beers, we head over to the Knitting Factory for his show. The actual event is an anniversary party for Numu which, I am told, is some kind of art collective. There are a few poetry readings, some comedians and then a few bands. The poetry and comedy acts are pretty hit or miss; but the bands are all pretty phenomenal. Malcolm introduces me to friends, and I drink beers, buy a poster, get a raffle ticket, and get my face painted. Though I ask the girl painting faces for "cat face" (surprise, surprise), I come out looking more like an angry zombie with my eyes bleeding, which is also pretty cool (this will prove not to be so cool on my bike ride home). Marshall shows up a few minutes before Malcolm's set and he is frazzled and manic and he can't stay long, but we agree to meet up on Friday night when he has a show.
While Malcolm's band plays, I talk to one of the poetry readers who did a fake self help visualization exercise, which was pretty hilarious. It was his first time ever performing, and he's pretty stoked to have some positive feedback.
When Malcolm is done, there are cupcakes for everyone. They are covered in coconut and totally delicious. It's not that late, but Malcolm is leaving in the morning and decides to go home for sleeps rather than staying out for a late night. I get directions back to Flushing Ave from one of his friends, because that is a street that I remember, and that will easily get me home. I say my goodbyes, and head off on my bike and immediately get lost. Asking strangers for directions and biking around when it looks like your face is an angry bleeding zombie is not the greatest thing ever. I probably bike around for about 30 minutes continuously getting lost and trying to find my bearings, before I finally find Kent which will take me to Flushing, which will take me home. As I coast down the hill to John street, I feel relieved and tired and happy to be near sleep.
My roommates are standing around outside and comment on my face paint and we laugh and then head inside. I have a bowl of cereal and then I'm off to sleep. Hurray!!!!
-----------------------
I decide that today is a day to take it easy because if I try to go to museums every day of the week, I will probably die. Tomorrow I will try again at the MET, but for now I am going to head into Williamsburg and sit in a cafe all day writing and editing photos.
My roommate Rian is awake and we chat a bit, and she says that she will probably come to Marshall's show with me on Friday. YAY!! I still need to ask the roommates if it's ok for me to stay for longer, I suspect that it will be, but my time is up tomorrow, so I had best figure this shit out!!! Worse comes to worst, I think that I can sleep on the couch at Mikey's place. I guess that the benefit to that would be that it would likely be free??
Woot woot woot!
I bike over to Williamsburg, and decide to head for Bedford, because that is a street where I know that there are awesome things. When I check google maps to get there, I realize that the route is actually EXCEEDINGLY STRAIGHTFORWARD, and I wonder why it was so complicated last night. Bedford actually basically turns into Flushing... I basically need to make only three turns to get there, and it takes about 20 minutes. I walk up and down the street a few times looking for a cafe, and then decide to just pop into the Blackbird Parlour where I was last night. I have a waffle and a coffee and am very content as I sit here writing.
And now we are at the present. 13 days remain!
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Now, a side note.... have I mentioned how many handsome men there are here?? It's enough to overwhelm a girl. They walk around in droves. In Vancouver, it seems as though you scarcely see a boy who is not surrounded by a flock of girls, let alone an ENTIRE GROUP of handsome young men walking completely unaccompanied by any women. They are well dressed, and pretty and they open doors for you and pay for cab and buy you drinks. WHAT THE HELL?!?! When was the last time that a boy in Vancouver opened the door of a cab for you and then helped you into the backseat, or did the same when you are getting out?? NEVER? Oh, right.
I mean, I'm all for equality, but sometimes it's really nice to feel like a girl.
Other things I've noticed about being here:
- I am a huge fucking hipster. Maybe you're thinking, "Gee, Thanks, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!", but I really didn't think that I was exceedingly hipstery. Maybe just a little bit? I guess that I was wrong. For one, despite the fact that I have a PERFECTLY GOOD BIKE to ride around, I keep wishing that I had MY bike; contrary to what you might be thinking, the reason is not that it rides better... the reason is that it's super flashy and I want to be a show off!! It's because I want boys with pretty bikes to look at my bike and think, "damn that cute girl has a sweet bike, I bet she is so cool and we should probably make out!" (Good logic, right??)
SNOB! RIGHT OVER HERE! THAT'S ME!
- Vancouver is a very small city, (no shit) so when you are heading to a party, generally speaking, if you know the approximate location, you can bike around until you see people who look like they would also be going to the party that you are going to, 99.5% of the time, it will be the right place. This method does not work so well in New York. I tried it when I was attempting to get into Jen's birthday rooftop party, and quickly realized that I am a small town idiot.
- People in Vancouver are cheap (myself included). Catching a cab, you will split it down to the dollar, four ways in Vancouver. Here, it seems, one person will grab it, and there is just an assumption that you will get them back at some point in the future. I'm not sure if this example captures exactly what I am trying to say, but suffice it to say, people in New York are not as cheap as people in Vancouver. Maybe I'm just cheap, and I'm labeling other Vancouverites along with me, but it just seems like people here are more friendly and generous (with both their money and time). They will grab you a drink just because and are perfectly happy to show you around or invite you out for a good time. They love their city and they want you to love it too (and you will).
- I don't know what else. I guess that that's it for now. I hope that some of you are enjoying reading this despite the fact that I am just posting ridiculous amounts of unbroken text. I am taking a ton of photos and some video, so hopefully I will get a chance to post this at some point in the near future. I can't believe it's only Wednesday (I have literally been here for only a week), and I'm overspending every day and I hope that I will have enough money to make it through until the end of my trip. I still need to finish the annual report for old work, which I was planning to do today, but then I forgot everything at home and realized I don't have Word on my computer so that is a total wash. I don't have a job for September (except for a few weeks) and I should probably be looking, but I can't even bother to care right now. Life is great and I feel so lucky and this is probably one of the best experiences of my life. Despite the lack of money and the stress from jobs and not knowing where to stay and whatever, I am so incredibly fucking happy. In the words of our good friend, Kurt Vonnegut, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is".
Anyways, I make breakfast, dress, blah blah blah, and I'm out the door. Today is the day that I am going to see the AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY. HURRRAY!!!!
It takes an hour to get there, but today, I take that Hudson River Greenway on the West side of Manhattan rather than the godawful whatever the unfinished bikeroute on the East side is called or 6th avenue. For once, I DON'T GET LOST. I ride the greenway until I hit about 70th street, then head East to Central Park, which the Natural History Museum borders. By the time that I get there, I am already hungry again. Biking takes a lot of energy! I decide to look for some New York pizza, and stumble upon Ray's pizza which, according to New York Magazine readers, is one of the best places for pizza in the city. I'm not surprised with this assessment. The pizza is HUGE and DELICIOUS. Today I am really glad that I am no longer a vegan. I get a huge slice covered with several types of cheese and a whole swack of spinach. I'm in heaven. The pizza here is about 4 bucks rather than the dollar slices that I am use to in Vancouver... but then again, it also doesn't taste like re-heated cardboard like Vancouver dollar slice. Once I've scarfed down my slice, I walk over to the museum. Like all government/museum/whatever buildings, the facade of this one is impressively ornate, and there is a huge memorial statue at the front. I wait in line for about 25 minutes, and pay 5 dollars to get in (the suggested donation is 12 for a student, but they don't hassle you if you pay less) I BRIEFLY considered paying a dollar but didn't want to seem like a COMPLETE asshole.
I'm in!
Let me just express.... the SIZE of this museum is absolutely shocking, and the quality of the exhibits is just phenomenal. The curators here must me the coolest biology and anthropology nerds to ever roam the Earth; working here would pretty much be my biology nerd dream job. The museum covers EVERYTHING: dinosaurs, sea creatures, gem stones, the creation of life on earth, indigenous people's from across the globe, both past and present... bacteria, plants, the evolution of vertebrates, mammals, small creatures and birds from around the Earth. EVERYTHING. It seemed like it was impossible that every turn I made, somehow there was just MORE... it was like being inside the carpet bag of museums. I spent 6 hours there, and still had to skim some of the exhibits. You could easily spend a full week here, so if you go, I'd recommend that you at least give yourself a full day!!
Around 5, I text Malcolm to see what the deal is with his show tonight (thankyou cheap disposable cellular technology!!!) He says that I should meet him at the Blackbird Parlour on Bedford street at 6:30, and gives me subway instructions for how to get there. I briefly consider biking, but know that it will take me well over an hour. Time for my first subway experience!! I get in line to ask the subway attendant for the best way to get to the L train, as I can't find the line on the giant map on the wall. She is grumpy and unimpressed and acts as though I have just asked her if she could please give me 25 cents, because I am just trying to find enough money to get into a hostel for the night, also, could she please buy me a slice of pizza. She doesn't explain anything, so I ask her if there is anywhere that I can get a map that I can carry with me. She hands me one, and I walk away. After staring at the map for a few minutes, I find my stop, and it's only one transfer to get to where I'm going. Hurray! Buy a ticket, shove my bike through the gate, and I'm on my way.
I get to the Blackbird 5 minutes late, but Malcolm's not there yet anyways, so I grab a beer and write in my sketchbook for a bit.
20 minutes later, Malcolm is here! What is better than seeing a friendly face in a strange city. I feel like it's a strange thing for our generation. The other day, in my brain, I came up with the term "debt-setters"; it's a combination between debt and jet-setters. Get it?? (I thought that it was clever... am I right??) When in history has it been possible for people living on mediocre incomes to just hop on a plane and travel all over the world basically whenever we want. It's fucking crazy! I mean, how is it possible that I travelled to New York, and completely BY CHANCE, I will meet up with at least 4 different friends from Vancouver who will just happen to be passing through town at the same time I will??
But I digress... Malcolm and I grab a beer and catch up. I haven't really hung out with Malcolm in ages, and it's really nice to hear about what is happening in his life these days.
When we're done our beers, we head over to the Knitting Factory for his show. The actual event is an anniversary party for Numu which, I am told, is some kind of art collective. There are a few poetry readings, some comedians and then a few bands. The poetry and comedy acts are pretty hit or miss; but the bands are all pretty phenomenal. Malcolm introduces me to friends, and I drink beers, buy a poster, get a raffle ticket, and get my face painted. Though I ask the girl painting faces for "cat face" (surprise, surprise), I come out looking more like an angry zombie with my eyes bleeding, which is also pretty cool (this will prove not to be so cool on my bike ride home). Marshall shows up a few minutes before Malcolm's set and he is frazzled and manic and he can't stay long, but we agree to meet up on Friday night when he has a show.
While Malcolm's band plays, I talk to one of the poetry readers who did a fake self help visualization exercise, which was pretty hilarious. It was his first time ever performing, and he's pretty stoked to have some positive feedback.
When Malcolm is done, there are cupcakes for everyone. They are covered in coconut and totally delicious. It's not that late, but Malcolm is leaving in the morning and decides to go home for sleeps rather than staying out for a late night. I get directions back to Flushing Ave from one of his friends, because that is a street that I remember, and that will easily get me home. I say my goodbyes, and head off on my bike and immediately get lost. Asking strangers for directions and biking around when it looks like your face is an angry bleeding zombie is not the greatest thing ever. I probably bike around for about 30 minutes continuously getting lost and trying to find my bearings, before I finally find Kent which will take me to Flushing, which will take me home. As I coast down the hill to John street, I feel relieved and tired and happy to be near sleep.
My roommates are standing around outside and comment on my face paint and we laugh and then head inside. I have a bowl of cereal and then I'm off to sleep. Hurray!!!!
-----------------------
I decide that today is a day to take it easy because if I try to go to museums every day of the week, I will probably die. Tomorrow I will try again at the MET, but for now I am going to head into Williamsburg and sit in a cafe all day writing and editing photos.
My roommate Rian is awake and we chat a bit, and she says that she will probably come to Marshall's show with me on Friday. YAY!! I still need to ask the roommates if it's ok for me to stay for longer, I suspect that it will be, but my time is up tomorrow, so I had best figure this shit out!!! Worse comes to worst, I think that I can sleep on the couch at Mikey's place. I guess that the benefit to that would be that it would likely be free??
Woot woot woot!
I bike over to Williamsburg, and decide to head for Bedford, because that is a street where I know that there are awesome things. When I check google maps to get there, I realize that the route is actually EXCEEDINGLY STRAIGHTFORWARD, and I wonder why it was so complicated last night. Bedford actually basically turns into Flushing... I basically need to make only three turns to get there, and it takes about 20 minutes. I walk up and down the street a few times looking for a cafe, and then decide to just pop into the Blackbird Parlour where I was last night. I have a waffle and a coffee and am very content as I sit here writing.
And now we are at the present. 13 days remain!
--------------
Now, a side note.... have I mentioned how many handsome men there are here?? It's enough to overwhelm a girl. They walk around in droves. In Vancouver, it seems as though you scarcely see a boy who is not surrounded by a flock of girls, let alone an ENTIRE GROUP of handsome young men walking completely unaccompanied by any women. They are well dressed, and pretty and they open doors for you and pay for cab and buy you drinks. WHAT THE HELL?!?! When was the last time that a boy in Vancouver opened the door of a cab for you and then helped you into the backseat, or did the same when you are getting out?? NEVER? Oh, right.
I mean, I'm all for equality, but sometimes it's really nice to feel like a girl.
Other things I've noticed about being here:
- I am a huge fucking hipster. Maybe you're thinking, "Gee, Thanks, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!", but I really didn't think that I was exceedingly hipstery. Maybe just a little bit? I guess that I was wrong. For one, despite the fact that I have a PERFECTLY GOOD BIKE to ride around, I keep wishing that I had MY bike; contrary to what you might be thinking, the reason is not that it rides better... the reason is that it's super flashy and I want to be a show off!! It's because I want boys with pretty bikes to look at my bike and think, "damn that cute girl has a sweet bike, I bet she is so cool and we should probably make out!" (Good logic, right??)
SNOB! RIGHT OVER HERE! THAT'S ME!
- Vancouver is a very small city, (no shit) so when you are heading to a party, generally speaking, if you know the approximate location, you can bike around until you see people who look like they would also be going to the party that you are going to, 99.5% of the time, it will be the right place. This method does not work so well in New York. I tried it when I was attempting to get into Jen's birthday rooftop party, and quickly realized that I am a small town idiot.
- People in Vancouver are cheap (myself included). Catching a cab, you will split it down to the dollar, four ways in Vancouver. Here, it seems, one person will grab it, and there is just an assumption that you will get them back at some point in the future. I'm not sure if this example captures exactly what I am trying to say, but suffice it to say, people in New York are not as cheap as people in Vancouver. Maybe I'm just cheap, and I'm labeling other Vancouverites along with me, but it just seems like people here are more friendly and generous (with both their money and time). They will grab you a drink just because and are perfectly happy to show you around or invite you out for a good time. They love their city and they want you to love it too (and you will).
- I don't know what else. I guess that that's it for now. I hope that some of you are enjoying reading this despite the fact that I am just posting ridiculous amounts of unbroken text. I am taking a ton of photos and some video, so hopefully I will get a chance to post this at some point in the near future. I can't believe it's only Wednesday (I have literally been here for only a week), and I'm overspending every day and I hope that I will have enough money to make it through until the end of my trip. I still need to finish the annual report for old work, which I was planning to do today, but then I forgot everything at home and realized I don't have Word on my computer so that is a total wash. I don't have a job for September (except for a few weeks) and I should probably be looking, but I can't even bother to care right now. Life is great and I feel so lucky and this is probably one of the best experiences of my life. Despite the lack of money and the stress from jobs and not knowing where to stay and whatever, I am so incredibly fucking happy. In the words of our good friend, Kurt Vonnegut, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is".
Monday, August 16, 2010
Oh, god... the humidity.
This morning, I wake up a little earlier than usual, get ready, make myself breakfast... blah blah blah. Today's the day I'm going to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hurrrraaaaaaaaay!
I decide to bike. Google maps says that it will take about an hour, and I highlight the path that I am suppose to take on the bike map that I picked up yesterday. On the way there, the path breaks a bit, and I get lost. It's ok though, because I'm in Manhattan and everything is avenues and streets and I know that as long as the street numbers keep getting smaller, I am headed in the right direction.
The streets are hot, and it's more difficult to bike alone downtown than it was when I was following Phil or Mikey; somehow I had felt tethered along by their bicycles ahead of me. I finally make it up to the MET - I am COVERED in sweat; my hair is drenched and my skin is slick, not to mention the fact that my legs also appear to be covered in grime from the New York streets. Sick.
As I walk up to the MET I see a big sign that states simply "CLOSED TODAY". Great. Luckily, New York is a city of many galleries and museums, and the Guggenheim is just down the street, so I decide to go there instead. When I get inside, the first thing that I notice is not the beauty of the building; it's the air-conditioning. Hurray! I've never really understood air-conditioning before... or flip-flops... or ventilated bike helmets... now I want all of these things. I feel like I should be wearing nothing but a dry-wick unitard, and that I should promptly shave my head.
Anyways... back to the Guggenheim!! The building is amazing. You can hear people talking from every level, but somehow it's all background noise, and the building has a strangely serene feeling. It's such an icon that I've seen in so many movies and tv shows for as long as I can remember, and it's strange to finally be standing inside of it. I see a shit ton of photographs that are beautiful and amazing, but I don't remember the names of any of the artists, because I didn't have my notebook and I never remember names. Several hours later, I am hungry so I go back out into the heat to get a snack and continue my day. I grab a pretzel from a street vendor... it's not great. I've been told so much about the pretzels in New York and I wonder if I have just gone to the wrong place, or if most people just really enjoy salty dry bread.
I decide to go and bike around central park. Again, I can't stress enough how beautiful this park is. I can really see why Central Park in falll is probably one of the most incredible things in life. Bike bike bike, and I stumble upon the Central Park Zoo. I don't go in, but it's surrounded by beautiful buildings and gardens and I can see seals from the perimeter. At this point it's about 3 pm and I want to die. It's SO HOT and I've already biked for about two hours today. I need to take a break. I walk down 5th avenue and pop into an H7M; there's a dress that I really like, but there's no guarantee that they don't have it in Vancouver, so I decide against it.
When I step back out onto the street, I still feel retched, and then I realize what is missing from my day. Coffee.
I head into the nearest starbucks (i know... gross... but coffee shops are not on every corner like they are in Vancouver, and all starbucks here have free WiFi, so I can actually get some use out of my iphone). I sit for about half an hour, and after an iced Americano and a tall glass of water, I feel totally refreshed and ready to bike home.
I see a Best Buy on my way back and finally find the cheap shitty cell phone that I've been dreaming of, and then I'm on my way!
The evening air makes biking SO MUCH MORE PLEASANT. It's obscene. I fly down 7th avenue, and over the manhattan bridge, and then I'm home.
About an hour later, Jenner gets home and we each make dinner and then catch up on Mad Men.
I finally get a hold of Malcolm, and tomorrow I'm going to hit a show of his at the Knitting Gallery.
Later tonight, I think I'm going to see a movie with the roomies and that's a wrap. Another day done!
Tomorrow? The museum of natural history!!
I decide to bike. Google maps says that it will take about an hour, and I highlight the path that I am suppose to take on the bike map that I picked up yesterday. On the way there, the path breaks a bit, and I get lost. It's ok though, because I'm in Manhattan and everything is avenues and streets and I know that as long as the street numbers keep getting smaller, I am headed in the right direction.
The streets are hot, and it's more difficult to bike alone downtown than it was when I was following Phil or Mikey; somehow I had felt tethered along by their bicycles ahead of me. I finally make it up to the MET - I am COVERED in sweat; my hair is drenched and my skin is slick, not to mention the fact that my legs also appear to be covered in grime from the New York streets. Sick.
As I walk up to the MET I see a big sign that states simply "CLOSED TODAY". Great. Luckily, New York is a city of many galleries and museums, and the Guggenheim is just down the street, so I decide to go there instead. When I get inside, the first thing that I notice is not the beauty of the building; it's the air-conditioning. Hurray! I've never really understood air-conditioning before... or flip-flops... or ventilated bike helmets... now I want all of these things. I feel like I should be wearing nothing but a dry-wick unitard, and that I should promptly shave my head.
Anyways... back to the Guggenheim!! The building is amazing. You can hear people talking from every level, but somehow it's all background noise, and the building has a strangely serene feeling. It's such an icon that I've seen in so many movies and tv shows for as long as I can remember, and it's strange to finally be standing inside of it. I see a shit ton of photographs that are beautiful and amazing, but I don't remember the names of any of the artists, because I didn't have my notebook and I never remember names. Several hours later, I am hungry so I go back out into the heat to get a snack and continue my day. I grab a pretzel from a street vendor... it's not great. I've been told so much about the pretzels in New York and I wonder if I have just gone to the wrong place, or if most people just really enjoy salty dry bread.
I decide to go and bike around central park. Again, I can't stress enough how beautiful this park is. I can really see why Central Park in falll is probably one of the most incredible things in life. Bike bike bike, and I stumble upon the Central Park Zoo. I don't go in, but it's surrounded by beautiful buildings and gardens and I can see seals from the perimeter. At this point it's about 3 pm and I want to die. It's SO HOT and I've already biked for about two hours today. I need to take a break. I walk down 5th avenue and pop into an H7M; there's a dress that I really like, but there's no guarantee that they don't have it in Vancouver, so I decide against it.
When I step back out onto the street, I still feel retched, and then I realize what is missing from my day. Coffee.
I head into the nearest starbucks (i know... gross... but coffee shops are not on every corner like they are in Vancouver, and all starbucks here have free WiFi, so I can actually get some use out of my iphone). I sit for about half an hour, and after an iced Americano and a tall glass of water, I feel totally refreshed and ready to bike home.
I see a Best Buy on my way back and finally find the cheap shitty cell phone that I've been dreaming of, and then I'm on my way!
The evening air makes biking SO MUCH MORE PLEASANT. It's obscene. I fly down 7th avenue, and over the manhattan bridge, and then I'm home.
About an hour later, Jenner gets home and we each make dinner and then catch up on Mad Men.
I finally get a hold of Malcolm, and tomorrow I'm going to hit a show of his at the Knitting Gallery.
Later tonight, I think I'm going to see a movie with the roomies and that's a wrap. Another day done!
Tomorrow? The museum of natural history!!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY
I wake up a little earlier than normal, so I can actually take advantage of my morning today. Because of yesterday's getting lost fiasco, I decide that today I will hit the city on foot. I grab brunch in the neighbourhood at the Dumbo General Store, before heading out. I'm not really sure what to do or where to go, so I decide to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It really is so amazing and beautiful, and if you could just take all of the tourists off of it, it would probably be the best thing in life (I know, I know, I am also a tourist, but I am not a TOURIST, you know what I mean??).
I walk around to some of the places that Phil showed me a few days ago; I sit in a park and watch some guys play basketball; I walk down Wall Street and past ground zero, and by too many landmarks and monuments to even count. On the way home, I walk down by the piers, and buy the best ice cream that I have ever had in my life. It is flavoured with cacao and port and is topped with roasted cashews (i think) and bruleed bananas. SO GOOD.
I walk back over the bridge and bum around the apartment for a bit. One of my roommates, Matt, then tells me that !!! is playing for free as part of the williamsburg summer concert series, and gives me directions to the show. I bike across town, get lost, and it starts to rain. I stop in at the first interesting looking bar that I see and grab a pint of local beer for 3 dollars. I ask for directions, and am out the door the second the rain lets up.
Because of the weather, the show is not as packed as I am told some of these concert are. There is music and beer and food, and the best part of all... there's DODGEBALL!!! Hurray!! Anyone can play, so I join in for a few rounds. The rules are a little different over there, but I vow that I will get here earlier next Sunday and get in as much dodgeball as possible. What a great city!!
Vans has a tent that is giving away free screenprinted shirts. I miss the screenprinting, but they still have a bunch of shirt left, so I just get a few plain tees.
The show and everything are over by about 7:30, and as I'm leaving, it begins to RAIN. WOMPS!! I have no fender, and I did not bring my waterproof backpack with me today, so I try to cover my belongings in plastic, and then I put my head down and bike as fast as I can to get home. I'm SOAKED and covered in road dirt by the time I make it in. Gross. My roommates are eating dinner, and I make myself a giant salad and then we all hang out and watch True Blood.
Rian, another roommate, has been away in Vegas all weekend, so we catch up over beers when the show is done.
I spend the rest of the night updating my flickr. Matt and Mike go out to a party, and Rian and Jenner head off to sleep as they both have to work in the morning.
My first weekend in New York is done, and I have to say, it was pretty freaking great.
There is always so much to do here and the people are so nice and friendly and giving, and I wish that I could stay for a year instead of for three weeks.
That being said, I miss my cats and it would be really nice to have someone close to share this experience with. I can't wait to one day return with a close friend.
Two more weeks to go!
I walk around to some of the places that Phil showed me a few days ago; I sit in a park and watch some guys play basketball; I walk down Wall Street and past ground zero, and by too many landmarks and monuments to even count. On the way home, I walk down by the piers, and buy the best ice cream that I have ever had in my life. It is flavoured with cacao and port and is topped with roasted cashews (i think) and bruleed bananas. SO GOOD.
I walk back over the bridge and bum around the apartment for a bit. One of my roommates, Matt, then tells me that !!! is playing for free as part of the williamsburg summer concert series, and gives me directions to the show. I bike across town, get lost, and it starts to rain. I stop in at the first interesting looking bar that I see and grab a pint of local beer for 3 dollars. I ask for directions, and am out the door the second the rain lets up.
Because of the weather, the show is not as packed as I am told some of these concert are. There is music and beer and food, and the best part of all... there's DODGEBALL!!! Hurray!! Anyone can play, so I join in for a few rounds. The rules are a little different over there, but I vow that I will get here earlier next Sunday and get in as much dodgeball as possible. What a great city!!
Vans has a tent that is giving away free screenprinted shirts. I miss the screenprinting, but they still have a bunch of shirt left, so I just get a few plain tees.
The show and everything are over by about 7:30, and as I'm leaving, it begins to RAIN. WOMPS!! I have no fender, and I did not bring my waterproof backpack with me today, so I try to cover my belongings in plastic, and then I put my head down and bike as fast as I can to get home. I'm SOAKED and covered in road dirt by the time I make it in. Gross. My roommates are eating dinner, and I make myself a giant salad and then we all hang out and watch True Blood.
Rian, another roommate, has been away in Vegas all weekend, so we catch up over beers when the show is done.
I spend the rest of the night updating my flickr. Matt and Mike go out to a party, and Rian and Jenner head off to sleep as they both have to work in the morning.
My first weekend in New York is done, and I have to say, it was pretty freaking great.
There is always so much to do here and the people are so nice and friendly and giving, and I wish that I could stay for a year instead of for three weeks.
That being said, I miss my cats and it would be really nice to have someone close to share this experience with. I can't wait to one day return with a close friend.
Two more weeks to go!
Getting lost.
Saturday morning (early afternoon, really), I left the house in the direction of Trader Joe's to find a Verizon store so that I could pick up the cheapest and crappiest cell phone. As I live about a 20 minute walk from this area, it should not have been that difficult... then I discovered that the downside to having a bike is that you can get extremely lost much faster than you could if you were walking. You know that feeling when you think that you are on your way somewhere and then everything starts looking kind of strange and you just know that you are DEFINITELY going in the wrong direction and probably have been for a very long time, even though you could have SWORN that you followed some stranger's directions PERFECTLY?? This happened to me so many times yesterday that I completely lost count. No joke, it took me FOUR HOURS to make a trip that should have taken about 30 minutes. Who would have thought it could be so difficult to find an entire neighbourhood?
Anyways... at least I got a bunch of biking in?
I FINALLY found my way home, rested for about an hour and then trekked out again (this time with a hand drawn map of where I was going), to my new friend Jen's birthday party. I bike along the water to Williamsburg, and after getting lost once or twice more DESPITE my map, I find her building. This is when I realize that I actually have no way of getting inside. I have no phone numbers for anyone, and there was a buzzer number left on the internet, but noone is in the apartment; they are all on the roof. WOMPS.
Instead of just going home, I decide to try to find somewhere with WiFi to recheck facebook to see if there are further instructions for getting upstairs. I come across a little bar that has beers on special for 4 dollars, and go and sit at the counter and try to sort things out. I am stressed and feel defeated as none of my plans for the day seem to be working out. When I go on facebook, there are no instructions for the party, but there is a wall post from Mike that says, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is"; suddenly the tone of my day has changed. Yes, I got lost, and yes, I might be missing a party right now and have no alternate plans for my Saturday night, but I am sitting in a little bar in Brooklyn having an IPA and it's summer and my life is generally pretty freaking great.
I finish my beer and then I make one more attempt to get into Jen's apartment building. I buzz the apartment, and again there is nothing. At this moment, someone who lives in the building walks up to the door, and I explain that my friend isn't answering, and she says, "do you want me to just let you in?" YES, I DO! THANKYOU SO MUCH! Thankfully, the elevator goes straight to the roof and there is no fancy system of stairs and locked doors to get up there. The view from the roof is amazing, and everyone is super friendly, and I put a tofurkey sausage on the grill and have a beer and relax. As the evening progresses, more and more people show up, until finally the deck is covered with people all drinking and smoking and generally having a pretty great time. There are a few cute boys there; one who reminds me strangely of miles, and one who is tall and wearing a bike cap and has the smoothest arms I have ever felt in my life. For some reason or another I just can't stop touching this guy's arms... and talking about how smooth they are. I am lucky that I am a cute girl and not some burly dude, or I would probably be the creep of the party. "I just can't stop touching your arms, they are so freaking smooth." Really?
Despite slamming back a redbull, I am still jet-lagged and so sleepy that I could die. I am told that I could crash in the apartment downstairs, but decide that I would much rather make my way home. The bikeride back is a little scary because I'm worried that I will get lost again, but everything turns out alright, and I'm coasting back into Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) 20 minutes later.
When I get in, Casper (one of my temporary roomies) is still awake and we chat for a bit about our days before I head up to sleep.
Now it's Sunday morning, and I'm trying to think of what to do with my day. Bike around, HOPEFULLY not get lost again, eat some foods, and later, watch some True Blood with the roommies.
It occurs to me that in 5 days I will need to find somewhere else to stay, and I'm pretty nervous about that, but I'm sure it will be ALRIGHT.
Meep meep!
Anyways... at least I got a bunch of biking in?
I FINALLY found my way home, rested for about an hour and then trekked out again (this time with a hand drawn map of where I was going), to my new friend Jen's birthday party. I bike along the water to Williamsburg, and after getting lost once or twice more DESPITE my map, I find her building. This is when I realize that I actually have no way of getting inside. I have no phone numbers for anyone, and there was a buzzer number left on the internet, but noone is in the apartment; they are all on the roof. WOMPS.
Instead of just going home, I decide to try to find somewhere with WiFi to recheck facebook to see if there are further instructions for getting upstairs. I come across a little bar that has beers on special for 4 dollars, and go and sit at the counter and try to sort things out. I am stressed and feel defeated as none of my plans for the day seem to be working out. When I go on facebook, there are no instructions for the party, but there is a wall post from Mike that says, "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is"; suddenly the tone of my day has changed. Yes, I got lost, and yes, I might be missing a party right now and have no alternate plans for my Saturday night, but I am sitting in a little bar in Brooklyn having an IPA and it's summer and my life is generally pretty freaking great.
I finish my beer and then I make one more attempt to get into Jen's apartment building. I buzz the apartment, and again there is nothing. At this moment, someone who lives in the building walks up to the door, and I explain that my friend isn't answering, and she says, "do you want me to just let you in?" YES, I DO! THANKYOU SO MUCH! Thankfully, the elevator goes straight to the roof and there is no fancy system of stairs and locked doors to get up there. The view from the roof is amazing, and everyone is super friendly, and I put a tofurkey sausage on the grill and have a beer and relax. As the evening progresses, more and more people show up, until finally the deck is covered with people all drinking and smoking and generally having a pretty great time. There are a few cute boys there; one who reminds me strangely of miles, and one who is tall and wearing a bike cap and has the smoothest arms I have ever felt in my life. For some reason or another I just can't stop touching this guy's arms... and talking about how smooth they are. I am lucky that I am a cute girl and not some burly dude, or I would probably be the creep of the party. "I just can't stop touching your arms, they are so freaking smooth." Really?
Despite slamming back a redbull, I am still jet-lagged and so sleepy that I could die. I am told that I could crash in the apartment downstairs, but decide that I would much rather make my way home. The bikeride back is a little scary because I'm worried that I will get lost again, but everything turns out alright, and I'm coasting back into Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) 20 minutes later.
When I get in, Casper (one of my temporary roomies) is still awake and we chat for a bit about our days before I head up to sleep.
Now it's Sunday morning, and I'm trying to think of what to do with my day. Bike around, HOPEFULLY not get lost again, eat some foods, and later, watch some True Blood with the roommies.
It occurs to me that in 5 days I will need to find somewhere else to stay, and I'm pretty nervous about that, but I'm sure it will be ALRIGHT.
Meep meep!
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