Halfway through my time in New York, I've come to a few realizations. Not only have I had the opportunity to rekindle friendships, I've also reignited some of my old flames...
pizza and nightlife.
Now, being a tad older and wiser, I've extinguished a few flames as well...
I forgot how good New York pizza is. I've heard it's the local water that makes the dough unlike any other dough (as with the bagels), but I'm not sure. Anyway- I have never had pizza as good as New York's...there's just something about it and anyone who has ever had a late-night, post-party slice in a noisy pizzeria with only standing room will agree.
I'm still in search of the "best" New York pizza and will post once I figure it out. Thus far, Brooklyn seems to have the primo slice but if it's not in Manhattan, it doesn't count in my book. No bridges or tunnels for this chick.
Also, when did 27 become old??
I venture out now, still feeble enough to strut in my stilettos- and I'm easily one of the oldest women in the place- save the man at the end of the bar that's been sipping the same martini since the 70's, checking out the "new meat." Maybe it's time to resign myself to enjoying long dinners with friends and going to bed at reasonable hours. I'm officially an adult now, I suppose. I wish I had realized that my youth would pass as quickly as it has so that I could have appreciated it more- and stayed out a bit later when I had the chance.
The art of loneliness. This is something I learned while living in New York, forgetting once I left, and am now being brutally reminded of. It's interesting, some would say- that in one of the most vibrant and crowded cities in the world, one can find themselves feeling utterly alone. I believe its the anonymity of this city...no one cares who you are or what you do. We all rush around, self-involved, as if we are in a race with ourselves just to arrive at the next location amidst yet another group of busy strangers.
I was sitting in a coffee shop this morning and as I was ordering, a "friendly" bystander sidled up to me with a warning not to sit next to the "crazy in the corner." So, of course, I heeded his advice- only to sit and watch the "crazy guy in the corner" from afar. I expected true insanity- after all, this is New York. Instead, the "nut job" just happened to be trying a little too hard to engage surrounding patrons in conversation. Since when does the desire for a bit of friendly banter make a person crazy?
I think he was just lonely.
And unfortunately, this being Manhattan, he was CRAZY to even attempt to speak with a stranger.
Needless to say, I didn't speak with him either.
Lastly, and I have always believed this to be true about New York- time seems to exist in a vacuum here. The days creep by without warning and although the minutes seem long- the daylight hours pass into darkness and back to light without any real indication of the passage of time. In my case, I've been here nearly a week and a half and have done about 1/4 of what I wanted to do and seen about 1/8 of the people I planned to see. The worst part of all- is that if you asked- I couldn't tell you what I've been occupying myself with- besides the usual: Worrying about my Spanish VISA, oscillating between PC and MAC decisions, and coordinating extravagant plans that I will most likely cancel anyhow.
Although, I did eat at the newly opened restaurant, Ago, in Tribeca the other night and had some of the best Burrata I've had in a while.
I suppose by New York standards (MY New York standards) that's quite an accomplishment.
pizza and nightlife.
Now, being a tad older and wiser, I've extinguished a few flames as well...
I forgot how good New York pizza is. I've heard it's the local water that makes the dough unlike any other dough (as with the bagels), but I'm not sure. Anyway- I have never had pizza as good as New York's...there's just something about it and anyone who has ever had a late-night, post-party slice in a noisy pizzeria with only standing room will agree.
I'm still in search of the "best" New York pizza and will post once I figure it out. Thus far, Brooklyn seems to have the primo slice but if it's not in Manhattan, it doesn't count in my book. No bridges or tunnels for this chick.
Also, when did 27 become old??
I venture out now, still feeble enough to strut in my stilettos- and I'm easily one of the oldest women in the place- save the man at the end of the bar that's been sipping the same martini since the 70's, checking out the "new meat." Maybe it's time to resign myself to enjoying long dinners with friends and going to bed at reasonable hours. I'm officially an adult now, I suppose. I wish I had realized that my youth would pass as quickly as it has so that I could have appreciated it more- and stayed out a bit later when I had the chance.
The art of loneliness. This is something I learned while living in New York, forgetting once I left, and am now being brutally reminded of. It's interesting, some would say- that in one of the most vibrant and crowded cities in the world, one can find themselves feeling utterly alone. I believe its the anonymity of this city...no one cares who you are or what you do. We all rush around, self-involved, as if we are in a race with ourselves just to arrive at the next location amidst yet another group of busy strangers.
I was sitting in a coffee shop this morning and as I was ordering, a "friendly" bystander sidled up to me with a warning not to sit next to the "crazy in the corner." So, of course, I heeded his advice- only to sit and watch the "crazy guy in the corner" from afar. I expected true insanity- after all, this is New York. Instead, the "nut job" just happened to be trying a little too hard to engage surrounding patrons in conversation. Since when does the desire for a bit of friendly banter make a person crazy?
I think he was just lonely.
And unfortunately, this being Manhattan, he was CRAZY to even attempt to speak with a stranger.
Needless to say, I didn't speak with him either.
Lastly, and I have always believed this to be true about New York- time seems to exist in a vacuum here. The days creep by without warning and although the minutes seem long- the daylight hours pass into darkness and back to light without any real indication of the passage of time. In my case, I've been here nearly a week and a half and have done about 1/4 of what I wanted to do and seen about 1/8 of the people I planned to see. The worst part of all- is that if you asked- I couldn't tell you what I've been occupying myself with- besides the usual: Worrying about my Spanish VISA, oscillating between PC and MAC decisions, and coordinating extravagant plans that I will most likely cancel anyhow.
Although, I did eat at the newly opened restaurant, Ago, in Tribeca the other night and had some of the best Burrata I've had in a while.
I suppose by New York standards (MY New York standards) that's quite an accomplishment.
1 comment:
Great as always!
lytww
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