Friday, June 27, 2008
Home
A couple weeks ago, I was having a bite to eat with a friend who moved to New York just shy of a year ago. I asked him if he ever got home sick and his reply was, "For my parents house? No I moved out when I was 18." I was shocked that for him, home was his parents house rather than a city or people. He told me that maybe I miss a certain time, like college... first off, I did not have the "typical" college experience because I had this thing called responsibility that many college students my age, just don't have to deal with. All in all, our conversation got me thinking about what it is people consider home. For me, I never wish I lived with my parents again, that isn't what I mean when I say that I am homesick. Home for me, is where all the people I love are. Where I feel like I can get around just by knowing the destination. Where it feels safe. I feel pretty safe here in Brooklyn, but its not the same without the people who make up your life around you. Its easy to miss the place you are from when you have incredible bonds and ties there. I guess I'll just have to make more bonds and ties here, make it so when I leave New York that I can't wait to come back. Make this my home.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Coney Island
My feet felt the Atlantic Ocean for the first time today. Didn't feel much different from any other body of water that I've felt. But there is something absolutely lovely about the ocean.
After a day of running errands and buying misc items, I decided to ride my bike the 8 miles to Coney Island to sit in the sand and stare into the ocean. The ride was nice and easy, not too many hills here in Brooklyn. And I got to see various neighborhoods that I haven't seen before... and lets just say I'm glad to live where I do. I got to Coney Island (not really an island actually, just a peninsula) around 7pm just as the sun had begun its decent down. I rode my bike out to the end of a pier and took some pictures (I forgot my camera so my phone had to do)
The above ride no longer is in operation because it had to many restrictions so basically no one could ride it.
A crappy view with my pieces of (fill in the blank) camera phone of the actual theme park from the pier.
The railing of the dock looking into the Atlantic Ocean.
I sat on the sand for probably only fifteen minuets before I realized that the sun was gone and I still needed to ride 8 miles home. I didn't get to stay to long but I got to walk in the ocean and sit on the beach. What is better on a Tuesday evening??
Coney Island probably isn't a very desirable place for many people. It is in a pretty dodgey area and lacks quality workmanship on the rides, which I guess is half the fun of the actual amusement park, the threat of sure death from daring to ride on the rides that probably couldn't pass inspection anymore. but a sunset on the ocean amazing, and for me, I don't need a fancy beach crawling with wealthy people and plastic surgery outcomes that make them look like a Spitzers choice. A beach with random people from random wakes of life and a full moon. Now that is a great beach for me.
After a day of running errands and buying misc items, I decided to ride my bike the 8 miles to Coney Island to sit in the sand and stare into the ocean. The ride was nice and easy, not too many hills here in Brooklyn. And I got to see various neighborhoods that I haven't seen before... and lets just say I'm glad to live where I do. I got to Coney Island (not really an island actually, just a peninsula) around 7pm just as the sun had begun its decent down. I rode my bike out to the end of a pier and took some pictures (I forgot my camera so my phone had to do)
The above ride no longer is in operation because it had to many restrictions so basically no one could ride it.
A crappy view with my pieces of (fill in the blank) camera phone of the actual theme park from the pier.
The railing of the dock looking into the Atlantic Ocean.I sat on the sand for probably only fifteen minuets before I realized that the sun was gone and I still needed to ride 8 miles home. I didn't get to stay to long but I got to walk in the ocean and sit on the beach. What is better on a Tuesday evening??
Coney Island probably isn't a very desirable place for many people. It is in a pretty dodgey area and lacks quality workmanship on the rides, which I guess is half the fun of the actual amusement park, the threat of sure death from daring to ride on the rides that probably couldn't pass inspection anymore. but a sunset on the ocean amazing, and for me, I don't need a fancy beach crawling with wealthy people and plastic surgery outcomes that make them look like a Spitzers choice. A beach with random people from random wakes of life and a full moon. Now that is a great beach for me.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Water World?
So it rained today... wait no, rain is an extreme understatement. It was a wall of water. In the less than 1 block that I walked from work to the subway, I was completely soaked as in, I had just gotten out of a pool. As I pretty much slid my way into the subway, the people coming up, looked horrified to see how completely drenched I and several others were. In talking to my boss, she was saying how global warming is suppose to put Manhattan under water in the next 20 years? my reaction to that: well New Orleans should have been underwater historically speaking but we somehow managed to keep it above water even after mother nature ripped it apart. So I guess we will see... Is is possible that someday in the very near future that this will all be a water world? As long as I grow gills, I won't mind.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Why can't I just have AC??
I didn't recognize the woman glaring back at me as I glanced at my reflection in a antique shop window. It was hot, 90's plus and deathly humid. My frustration outweighed any desire to do much out but continuing my now 3 hour commute home and this particularly lovely Sunday. How did I get to this point in my day anyway?
The day had started innocently enough at approximately 5:15 AM when I rolled out of bed and stumbled through my oven like apartment to get ready for work, I could believe incredibly hot it was at such an early hour, it never really cooled down that night. Even as I waited for the "F" train in my usual standing spot, I was stunned by how humid and damp 5:45 AM could really be. I fumbled with my iPod to listen to The Killers version of "Romeo and Juliet." I think I like their version better than the Dire Striats one. I thought of Candice and Keith and their love for The Killers, taking a deep breath, desperately wishing that I too could be taking a trip home and visiting the family. It saddens me everything to think how those kids are going and I don't get to see them like I use to. I shrugged off the thought as I knew that it would do me no good and breezed into the welcoming car of an air conditioned train...
Work was humid. Just like everything else in this city. So humid in fact, it felt like my soul was trying to leave my body behind for something dry and cool; as far as I can tell, my soul hasn't completely left me yet. The day went like any other Sunday Brunch at La Bottega; couples, friends and family members sipping martini's and mimosas in the shade of the umbrellas while I darted inside to stand under an air vent and guzzle water at any chance that I could possibly get. There is something obnoxious about brunch people, or maybe it is just jealously; wishing that I could be enjoying the company of friends and family, whom of which I missed desperately. But I ignored the thought as soon dreams of air conditioners filled my mind. I decided that after work, I would go to Target and buy a nice air conditioner so I could sleep tonight. That is the thought that got me through the 10 hour, humid, and steady stream of brunch eaters.
I left work at roughly 4:30 PM and sunk underground to a tomb of humidity and strange New York smells. waiting for the train is the worst, luckily I had my most recent read and the pleasant thought of how good the train car would feel. The train car did feel wonderful. I transfered to the "5" train at Union Square which would take me right to Atlantic Avenue... at least on any other given time.
At the last stop in Manhattan, the train conductor announced that no "4" or "5" trains where going into Brooklyn because of a power issue at Atlantic Avenue; just where I wanted to go. So I took the "A" with the intention of transferring to the "F" and then back to the "R" to get to my next destination of Target/air conditioner heaven. Wrong again. The Borough Hall stop did not have any "F" trains. Apparently there was more of a problem then originally thought; some sort of train fire. Police officers were giving directions to tourists trying to get to Coney Island and confused travelers just trying to get out of the damp subway. I made my way to the street, knowing that I had several miles walk ahead of me just to get to Atlantic Avenue. Well this is when i realized that it was after six, it had taken me about 2 hours to make a normal 30 min trip and I was still miles away from where I wanted to be. I took a deep breath and continued my journey, filling my mind with how wonderful the cold air would feel tonight as I feel asleep. That is when my unfamiliar glare caught my eye, almost livid that I willing put myself through such torture... as if at this juncture it were avoidable.
I finally arrived at Target. Hot, incredibly sweating, thirsty and tired. I made my way to the 2nd floor where I would find my heaven. As I rounded the corner, I was struck with panic. To my horror, the air conditioning shelf was completely empty. Nothing. I felt like this had to be a nightmare after all the pain it took me to get there. I closed my eyes and shook my head quickly and opened my eyes to see that the shelves were still empty. I wanted to throw myself to the ground and just give up there and then. Scream at every passing stranger and demand their air conditioning unit. How could this be happening???
Disgruntled, I made my way to the "R" platform and paced almost violently on the platforms' edge, trying desperately to cool off. Both literally and metaphorically. My frustration was to the extreme. I'm not a violent person but I was convinced that if someone got within a 10 foot radius of me, their fate would be much worse than that of my muggy sleepless night I was sure to encounter. All I had to look forward to that night was a hot, humid apt and and shedding cat. The train came, and the cool car welcomed me with open arms.
As I made my way of the subway to the open Brooklyn streets, I thought of how much worse it could be. I could be without a fan. Which is what saved me when I got home. I collapsed on the floor in front of the fan and was soon greeted by a black and white cat named Gizmo who slept with me on my hard wood floors until my discomfort awoke me. Sweating and startled by thunder, I awoke to find several hours had past. The worst is over. Tomorrow I'll try again. But I'm not going to Target.
The day had started innocently enough at approximately 5:15 AM when I rolled out of bed and stumbled through my oven like apartment to get ready for work, I could believe incredibly hot it was at such an early hour, it never really cooled down that night. Even as I waited for the "F" train in my usual standing spot, I was stunned by how humid and damp 5:45 AM could really be. I fumbled with my iPod to listen to The Killers version of "Romeo and Juliet." I think I like their version better than the Dire Striats one. I thought of Candice and Keith and their love for The Killers, taking a deep breath, desperately wishing that I too could be taking a trip home and visiting the family. It saddens me everything to think how those kids are going and I don't get to see them like I use to. I shrugged off the thought as I knew that it would do me no good and breezed into the welcoming car of an air conditioned train...
Work was humid. Just like everything else in this city. So humid in fact, it felt like my soul was trying to leave my body behind for something dry and cool; as far as I can tell, my soul hasn't completely left me yet. The day went like any other Sunday Brunch at La Bottega; couples, friends and family members sipping martini's and mimosas in the shade of the umbrellas while I darted inside to stand under an air vent and guzzle water at any chance that I could possibly get. There is something obnoxious about brunch people, or maybe it is just jealously; wishing that I could be enjoying the company of friends and family, whom of which I missed desperately. But I ignored the thought as soon dreams of air conditioners filled my mind. I decided that after work, I would go to Target and buy a nice air conditioner so I could sleep tonight. That is the thought that got me through the 10 hour, humid, and steady stream of brunch eaters.
I left work at roughly 4:30 PM and sunk underground to a tomb of humidity and strange New York smells. waiting for the train is the worst, luckily I had my most recent read and the pleasant thought of how good the train car would feel. The train car did feel wonderful. I transfered to the "5" train at Union Square which would take me right to Atlantic Avenue... at least on any other given time.
At the last stop in Manhattan, the train conductor announced that no "4" or "5" trains where going into Brooklyn because of a power issue at Atlantic Avenue; just where I wanted to go. So I took the "A" with the intention of transferring to the "F" and then back to the "R" to get to my next destination of Target/air conditioner heaven. Wrong again. The Borough Hall stop did not have any "F" trains. Apparently there was more of a problem then originally thought; some sort of train fire. Police officers were giving directions to tourists trying to get to Coney Island and confused travelers just trying to get out of the damp subway. I made my way to the street, knowing that I had several miles walk ahead of me just to get to Atlantic Avenue. Well this is when i realized that it was after six, it had taken me about 2 hours to make a normal 30 min trip and I was still miles away from where I wanted to be. I took a deep breath and continued my journey, filling my mind with how wonderful the cold air would feel tonight as I feel asleep. That is when my unfamiliar glare caught my eye, almost livid that I willing put myself through such torture... as if at this juncture it were avoidable.
I finally arrived at Target. Hot, incredibly sweating, thirsty and tired. I made my way to the 2nd floor where I would find my heaven. As I rounded the corner, I was struck with panic. To my horror, the air conditioning shelf was completely empty. Nothing. I felt like this had to be a nightmare after all the pain it took me to get there. I closed my eyes and shook my head quickly and opened my eyes to see that the shelves were still empty. I wanted to throw myself to the ground and just give up there and then. Scream at every passing stranger and demand their air conditioning unit. How could this be happening???
Disgruntled, I made my way to the "R" platform and paced almost violently on the platforms' edge, trying desperately to cool off. Both literally and metaphorically. My frustration was to the extreme. I'm not a violent person but I was convinced that if someone got within a 10 foot radius of me, their fate would be much worse than that of my muggy sleepless night I was sure to encounter. All I had to look forward to that night was a hot, humid apt and and shedding cat. The train came, and the cool car welcomed me with open arms.
As I made my way of the subway to the open Brooklyn streets, I thought of how much worse it could be. I could be without a fan. Which is what saved me when I got home. I collapsed on the floor in front of the fan and was soon greeted by a black and white cat named Gizmo who slept with me on my hard wood floors until my discomfort awoke me. Sweating and startled by thunder, I awoke to find several hours had past. The worst is over. Tomorrow I'll try again. But I'm not going to Target.
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