Monday, January 13, 2014

Riding In Subway Cars With Strangers And The Thoughts That Ensue

I am an adult-child with a very serious case of ADD whenever I am on the train.  And yes yes, I know, ADD is nothing to joke about, yada yada yada.  But it's true!  Just to give you an example of the observation-inspired thoughts that run through my head in the quick 30 minute commute to and fro work:

"Oh my that woman has small feet.....I wonder if it's difficult for her to find shoes in her size.....", "I wonder what song that girl's rockin' out to? Her white headband's a bit dirty; oh wait, that's an earphone headpiece.... BEATS BY DRE!" (more on the 'Beats By Dre' game Kel & I play later)*; "That's a nice jacket that lady has on as she's admiring herself in the window reflection; I wonder if people ever catch me stealing a glance at my reflection?"; "Oh. My. Gosh. Does anybody else see this? That man has half his finger up his nose! He's digging for gold!!"; "What a sweet kid that young boy was to hold the subway door open for me and then he offered me some of his chocolate bar; I wonder if the chocolate was laced with anything and he was trying to roofy me?; What's wrong with me, I bet there was nothing in the chocolate; I mean, hey, he's still got it out and it does look pretty tasty..."; "No f%$#@*' way! That booger-chaser is still at it!! Somebody else has gotta be seeing this. Oh phew, that guy sees it. But he's so close. Ewwww." "Oh wow, I love when we come up on the bridge; I am seriously head over heels for the NYC skyline; I feel like a peeping tom fiending for a glance of her beauty whenever I get the chance; which window should I look out? Up river or down river?"; "Wait, was that a text? I better queue in to see if Matt & Kel said anything in the roomie chat. Maybe I should check my work email. But I just left work."; "Ooooh no way, that chick is totally reading 'A Tree Grows In Brooklyn'! Should I tell her I'm reading it too?! No, that'd be weird. But kinda cool. But weirder to interrupt her."; "What comic book is that guy reading? Looks kinda interesting. But kinda dark. I wonder why I never got into comics. I don't think any of my friends are either, but it's totally an admirable interest. I dig it and I support the reading of comic books. I mean, it's just another form of...." "Oh wow, is that dried blood on the seat next to him? Shit shit shit, that's a lot of blood. So glad I didn't sit there. Mental note: make sure to look for blood and visible body fluids and/or grossness before sitting and/or holding the rails."; "I wonder what Harris is doing right now. Man I miss him. But I just saw him yesterday and am going to see him tomorrow. Patience, self. Patience!" "Let's see, it's 3:30p.m back home. I bet Mama's still at work and Daddio's on his way home. Wonder if I have time to give them a quick buzz before we go back underground? No, I'll wait until I get to 7th Ave. and am en route home. I hope I remember." (Didn't remember); "Ohp, there we go below ground again. Subway riding is so fun. I just love riding the subway. It's kinda like a roller coaster of sorts. Thank God I have not experienced any major subway delays yet. Knock. On. Wood! Mental note: always bring water and some sort of a snack in my bag while on subway."; "What the hell is in that big box that dude has over there? Hmm. Looks like you could fit a person in there."; "I haven't seen the 'Showtime, Showtime' kids lately. Wonder where they're hibernating for the winter?"; "Atlantic Station. Should I get off and walk? Is Kelly working at SBUX? I could stop in and say hi. Do we need anything from Target? Meh, I'll just take this to 7th."; "Do we need anything from the store?" "Oh wow, that guy has awesome Oxfords. I'd like to get some Oxfords. Damnit, I should've gotten those sweet Oxford up at the Santa Barbara Nordstrom's two years ago. I would be so stylish now." "I haven't ridden the subway with Matty in a while. Those mornings were fun." "I hope to get to ride the subway with Kels in the a.m. sometimes, although I don't think we'll be taking the same train." "It's so funny how I have taken the 'B' line this entire time and I have worked in two different neighborhoods. Man I love riding on the subway." "Oh man, look at that graffiti. Who would deface public property like that? Although it's kinda pretty and artistic. But still. Kids these days, sheesh." "Is that guy staring at me? Do I have a booger in my nose or something? Meh. Let it hang."; "Wow, that was a fast trip home, and I didn't even take my book out. Guess I needed to think it out."; "He is totally staring at me. Creeeeeeepyyyyy. Let's hope he doesn't get off at 7th. And if he does, I'll lose him on the streets or double back. Oh thank God he didn't get off. But he's still staring. WTF?" "Ah, it's so good to be home. I love our apartment and I love Brooklyn. I really just love it here." "I wonder what I should have for dinner? I wonder if Kel's eaten dinner and we should make Matty some?"; "Man, it's warm out tonight. Don't need my gloves or scarf, that's fo' sho'."; "Man I love it here." "Happy Monday, self. Happy flippin' Monday. One day closer to seeing Harris. Woohoo!"

* 'Beats By Dre' is not only a popular headphone brand used and amused by much of the music-listening public today but it's also a game Kel and I play with each other, inspired by the countless 'Beats By Dre' listeners flooding the streets. Think 'SlugBug'.

And that's all for now, folks. More subway thoughts at a later time. ;-)

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Bred to Bare

I am confident I was bred to bare the cold.

For starters, I smile for the first half of my walk to the subway in the a.m., and yeah, I am usually defenseless against the cold tear that falls at about 3/4 of the way to the subway stop, I still enjoy those rare brisk moments to and from and subway and I enjoy this first season of colder weather all that comes with it.  And yes, I a very grateful that I do not work outdoors.  God bless those that do in these temperatures.

When I'm scoffed at after exclaiming my love for all things NYC, I say, "Okay, well let's talk in six months.  I might change my tune," I say I'm 'one with the cold' to friends and family familiar with my recent move to the northeast and familiar with the climate thereof.  Knowing that I come from the 'Golden Coast', where the weather is "always sunny in California", I imagine have felt some worry about how I would respond to these temperatures; if I would survive.  But I friggin' love it!  I look forward to the refreshing air that greets me upon exit from my apartment building in the a.m.......my breath totally visible.  That used to always kill me as a kid.  When I could see my breath.  It was as though I was making it snow or something.  I was always over-exhaling when temperatures dropped at home - which was a rare occurrence for it to drop cold enough to see one's breath - or when we were up at the cabin.  Oh man, Arrowhead was the best place to show your breath, at night, when it really got cold, as in, down in the 40-50s.  That's what I used to think was cold.  Now that I have experienced single digits, I have a totally new definition and standard for what cold temperatures is.

I also remember always being so fascinated when the backyard bird bath would freeze over, and I would often tap at the ice to see how thick it was.  It was rarely, if ever, thick enough not to break through.  And when it actually snowed in little 'ole La Verne?  When it snowed - this had to have been in the '80s because we were little girls - we got out our sippy cups and attempted to catch some snow and freeze it in our freezer, only to find a sod ice cube at the bottom of our cup, after checking hours later.  That just about killed me.  Silly childhood fun.

Sometimes the dew on the grass used to frost over, but it wouldn't stay that for long what with the warm California morning sun.  And that's about it for any 'cold weather stories from Cali'.

But I was always that friend who had the most coats, scarves, beanies/hats, and gloves. And I was always the first to request that we go up to the cabin so that we could take advantage of the cooler temperatures.
I love layering, and my B.I. full-length down coat, I love fleece and pleather and cable-nit sweaters.  I love radiators and steamy man-holes, I love heating the apartment with baking or cooking, I love fires and candles, cold weather drinks, soups and stews, and most importantly, I love winter! (and yes, I even love that winter lasts six months in NYC).

So that all confirms it.  Born to bare the northeastern cold.

Please now take a moment of silence for those lives lost in the recent polar vortex occurrence.

Friday, January 3, 2014

New Year in New York



Because it's NYC and ::slap slap:: I'm alive! 12/30/13

I was on the southbound 2 making the trek home from the Bronx the other day (an hour this commute is for me and it is the 'longest' I find myself in a vehicle/mode of transportation here in NYC because everything is so close and it's awesome!).  I was sitting across from a family with one very precious little boy who was stealing glances at me while his feet were dangling adorably over the seat, and I wondered how long it would be before his feet touched the floor of the train.  Remember that feeling when your feet first touched the ground? 

I remember the day my feet finally touched the ground very clearly because it was just six months ago to the day tomorrow, 1.4.14.  Tomorrow marks Kel & my six month NYC anniversary and I am more taken with NYC every day, and discovering something new with each day.  She has taken a hold of me; she has a strong grasp on my mind, my heart, my body, and soul and is keeping my eyes open with all her splendor and sexiness.  NYC, that is.  Not my sis.  Don't get me wrong, Kel is splendorous and sexy, but the 'her' here is the fifth lady, NYC.  'Her' energy is intoxicating, electrifying, tempting, tantalizing, at times overwhelming, but the constant engagement and stimulation of it all creates this unquestionable energy.  Hence the old slogan for the Big Apple, "the city that never sleeps". Yeah sure she never sleeps, all because this overflowing energy that is created from all the many cultures coexisting, all the history that founds us and the traditions that ground us. This city thrives as we sing a daily song that changes tune and lyrics every day like a symphony of seasons.  The cabby horns and the distant sirens, the men working on the scaffolding high above passersby, the snow flurries that whistle through the barren trees and the radiator that hisses and bangs like that of a steel drum.   This symphony of sounds has become the score to my life.  And we, those who live and collaborate here are making it happen, making life happen, bearing that wind and sleet and lugging our lives up and down in and around the five boroughs that comprise NYC (Brooklyn being the largest, woot woot!). When push comes to shove, we extend a hand to our neighbor and we take care of each other like those of a village, pushing harder with every day and looking to create a brighter tomorrow for the city that is our home.  Who are we?  The children of Lady Liberty, whether we be biological, adopted, or step-children. And just as an FYI  I consider myself an adopted child. =D (I do like that self-made analogy if I do say so meself)  I am so incredibly grateful and still so in awe that I get to contribute to the success and evolution and thriving energy of NYC. 


As we start a new year here in New York, I find myself reflecting on the passing year- as always with the turning of a New Year.  That said and without a doubt, 2013 was a 'year of change' for me and one of the best changes was blossoming from a sunny So Cal girl to an even stronger and more determined, more confident NYC 'woman'.  

'13 began as I concluded one of the longest chapters of my life's saga to date, saying goodbye to a family and family friends and leaving a life that I, that a former we had shared, behind.  But I did not focus on the loss or the decision I had made to close that chapter, rather, I chose to focus on the wind of change that began blowing.  I took an introspective step backwards and then began moving forward again instead of remaining idle as I had been for some time, in certain avenues of my life anyway.  I chose to seek change and disruption instead of settling with comfort and complacency.  Life's too short not to the pursue the unknown. So the first few months of '13 found me seizing an opportunity to move from CA to NYC, and then the latter half of the year making the transition and acclimating to the new sub-culture as seamlessly as the tides turn.  Oh, and somewhere in there I turned 30.  Not as big of a deal as everyone makes it out to seem, BTW.  Don't let 'em fool yah.  I embraced the blessing of another year and that of wisdom, celebrating on the cross-country roadtrip with my sis & Rufus somewhere in-between Shamrock, TX, and Nashville, TN.  2013 was one of the most progressive yet one of the most challenging years of my life and that of the greatest change.  And much like another year of life, this change I gladly embraced like that of a comfort object.  

So with the New Year we have decided that 2014 will be the year of 'Life Is Good' as we focus and improve upon what we have, who we are, and what we are doing with this amazing life we get to be a part of.  2014 will be that of even MORE new adventures, and being PRESENT in the moment of these new adventures.  There are SO many things, so many far off exotic destinations and cultures to experience, I like to think that being in NYC makes me that much closer to these distant lands that I am intrigued with exploring......and with that, the blog postings will become much more colorful! =D


I leave you with this: when you know what you want, GO AFTER IT.  I went after a few things this year, took a few bold leaps of faith and assertion and I do not regret any of them, rather, I feel these are things that have added the most value to my life.  Do not wait but CREATE an opportunity, carpe diem, seek meaning in this short life. And get to know those you interact with you throughout the journey because life and the people that write the lyrics to the song thereof are all beautiful in unique ways and each deserves to be celebrated.


This is where I am and this is who and I am and I have never felt so damn alive in my life.......and I am so happy to have my sister, my best friend, my partner in crime by my side and along for the ride; as well as that of a newly blossoming relationship; new and old friendships; and a very special roomie, Mr. Mattypants aka 'puppy brother'. =D

                              
Sis & I sharing a soak tub from the rooftop of CasaBlanca Hotel, Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico 12/28/13.