Beautiful Days

In an effort to make myself less of a recluse, I headed to McCarren Park to enjoy the gorgeuos weather in New York. The park is located a few blocks away. It was a perfect day to lay under the marvelous maples and feel the beautiful breeze blow past. I spent the entire afternoon reading lovely literature and listening to music.

After returning to my apartment for dinner, I returned to the park to meet with friends and complete the circle of my day. Travis' little dog, Dexter, joined me for the adventure.

A Walk About

The cool breeze outside called my name yesterday when I headed down for a late afternoon walk. I wanted to explore the area around my apartment not yet seen. Out of my front door, I walked right toward McGuinness Blvd. It's a busier street than others, not a place for a "stroll."

After walking a block, I began towards the water and back through my immediate neighborhood. The afternoon was cool and delightful. Mothers and babies in strollers, couples and little old men with canes walked under the cool shade of the trees.

We apparently live on the only street in the neighborhood without trees. That is so my luck.


Christopher's new barber.

The pretty gardens and trees on neighboring streets.

Travis and I decided to have a New York adventure and brave the crowds at the Staten Island Ferry for a free boat ride by the Statue of Liberty. We were surprised and closterphobic by the large amount of people waiting in masses to funnel through the doorway to make their way onto the ferry. Once on the boat, however, it wasn't as crowded, and we grabbed a beer to watch Our Lady Liberty go by.

Settling In

Sometime last week, New York City took my voice. I haven't been able to speak above a whisper until a few days ago, but you can still hear the residual roughness behind my spoken words. I felt physically fine, no sore throat or cough.

I spent the last few days recuperating in my little apartment. Now it's time to get down to the every-day chores that are relatively new to my time here. The chores are mundane, like bank withdrawals, sweeping and laundry, but I'm still figuring out the pace and flow of the city.

Walking into the bank, I pulled to the side so I could figure out the layout and direction of traffic. Upon entering, the cashier's stand is not immediately available. I pulled into a small space to the left with a window that faced the busy street outside. I watched others walk in and to the right to fill out their withdrawal/deposit slips and walk to the left of the store behind a wall. The path was laid out with worn, blue rugs. I fell into line and went to stand in line for a teller.

This small accomplishment of learning the lay of the neighborhood bank is a big step to me becoming more comfortable in this unknown city. I am headed to do laundry alone for the first time here, but I assume laundry is laundry.

Reviewing Plans

When my friend arrived in town, she had a long list of seemingly manageable sights to discover. We stayed around Williamsburg and Greenpoint and visited some favorite drinking spots, like the Levee. Since the first day you arrive is always the hardest to plan, Rachel's day was left to completing nothing on her list. We managed to make it to the Museum of Art and Design, the Whitney, a few galleries in Chelsea and plenty of shopping throughout her trip, but most other plans were left undone due to the unknown travel follies in between destinations.

An unseasoned New York visitor could not expect the sites in between their destinations that are must-sees. Walking down the streets of New York to nowhere in particular could take up at least a week of vacation time alone.

Since living here about a week (I am definitely the expert), I realize how precious New Yorkers' time really is. My transportation experience relies solely on the subway and walking to and from stops and destinations. Including time to wait on the never-timely G train in Brooklyn to the various transfers in between leaving and returning home, most of your day is spent en route to your journey's end.

The constant train use has allowed me a bit more knowledge in the ways of the subway, but I am by no means proficient. Missing a train or a stop is a public transits' nightmare. A gentleman running to catch the L train sums it up the best with his hostile display from the doors closing two steps from the opening. A nice, big wad of spit onto the wall of the train as it drove pass pretty much says it all.


Union Square

The Moth showcase at Housing Works.

High Line Park nesting above the city streets of Chelsea.

Forming Skills

Christopher finally made it home last night after an hour and a half flight delay due to thunderstorms, which I think it came from my heart.

Today, my friend Rachel arrives. We are headed to Central Park for the outdoor summer movie festival with a picnic for dinner. Tomorrow we planned an afternoon at the MoMa and then to the Housing Works Bookstore Cafe for the NY Moth StorySlam.

I am so excited to hear the story-telling performances. I'm sure I'll have much, much more to write regarding that experience.

I Want to be a Part of It...

We made it to New York!

The journey here has been full of varying emotions, which are certain to continue. Our first day was spent managing taxi rides, finding our new apartment and catching up with our friend, Travis.

We were quite tired from our long day of travel, so we spent a quiet first night in the city. Unfortunately, our air conditioner did not work and it has been a very hot couple of days. After giving our apartment the proper cleaning and installing a new window unit (fun!), I was finally able to relax and enjoy the adventure.

I was overwhelmed yesterday at the huge lifestyle changes headed my direction. From grocery shopping, apartment management, and subway rides, it has all been a huge transition.

Chris and I were able to spend the day exploring the underground city that is the subway and managing quite well. We began at a stop to Grand Central Station for lunch and then to Harlem to find my new office. After a couple of wrong turns, we worked it out. We relied heavily on our iPhone with GPS and subway application on our phone. After Harlem, we came back down through Central Park West and on to Union Station.

We are resting to prepare for our proper birthday celebration tonight with other Denton transplants.

After Chris leaves Sunday, I will be here for a few weeks to figure out the logistics of "city living." Send me all of your good thoughts!

This experience has been the most emotionally terrifying one of my life. I miss my friends and family terribly, but I am excited to begin a new adventure.

Denton, TX

Last night was our going away party at the best bar I've ever known, Hailey's. It's been a great place to me over the years. Hopefully, I will find a good spot with great music and fantastic people to be the dark place I drink with friends and dance alone.

Today is my last day of work at Hannah's, the restaurant where I have worked and learned about beautiful food and wine. My dear friend and chef of Hannah's, Sheena, took excellent care of me last night. She also made these beautiful photos to chronicle the evening. This woman is one of the people that made me who I am today. She took my hand and pulled (sometimes dragged) me into the unknown world of intelligent cuisine, thoughtful friendship, abstract thought and so much more.

I could write for days about all the wonderful surprises she brought into my life, but I hope she reads this and already knows.

My friends I found in Denton are part of a family of transits and thinkers that come together in this highway town with beautiful music and eclectic tastes. Every person I met here brought something new into my life. I will never forget the town where I became me and the people that helped me grow.


There are more photos with Chris besides the one where he's jumping in and I'm telling him to get out, but even more of me DANCING!