Things I Miss About New York
I was cleaning out my purse today -- it's been a few weeks since I've done this, and those that know me are probably laughing at the ragtag list of items that I keep in my purse since time immemorial. Disregarding the unsavory bits of tissue or gum wrappers at the bottom, I did find some hilarious things....
1. A taxi receipt with "Call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX, let's chat" scrawled across the fare.
2. 3 dead AAA-size batteries
3. 10 Egyptian cents (is that even legal tender anymore?)
4. My business cards folded into different airplane shapes, presumably when I was really bored one day.
5. A key ring that held spare keys to Kerstin's flat (not anymore)
6. 4 sticks of lip balm (I don't know why there are 4. There just are.)
7. Spare battery for my mobile phone (Finally! Something useful!)
and last, but not least... a Flash Memory Card! At some point I must have taken it out of my camera and didn't put it back in. I wasn't sure how long ago that I acted so absent-mindedly, because, believe me, it happens more often than not. So I launched it today and the memory card contained pictures I took in New York this last trip back. They are not of anything too remarkable, but they were of places and things that were near and dear to me - so I'm going to post these pictures, not just to tell people about them, but to also give them the respect they deserve as bits of life I miss about NYC.
Where I Used To Work
This is a beautiful sunset from where I used to work. It faces the Hudson River, and on the other side in New Jersey is the Harborside Financial Center. My first job was in HFC, where I learned that working through the night on a project I'm committed to is well worth it. I also learned then that OJ was found not guilty by a jury that was not his peers. The financial district is where I witnessed the two planes crashing into the two towers, and other horrors beyond imagination. Across the Hudson is the spot where I watched Ground Zero transform from rubble to gaping hole to two beams of light to a gated construction site. All from the unforgettable experience of living aboard a boat. This is also where I would catch many a spectacular sunset, and my last visit there did not disappoint.
Mornings by City Hall
The confluence point of New York City politics and municipal power is right by this fountain. Within a 50 feet radius of the fountain, you can find: the FBI headquarters, the NY State Supreme Court, City Hall, NY State Family Court, the Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, Unemployment Office. The contrast between grand stone columns and high archways, reminiscent of the intellectual politicos of the 19th century, and the ornate Baroque style fountain in front of city hall is quite amusing. It is typical of NYC, this mix and match - elegantly carved building facades that sit contentedly next to a blinking neon sign for J&R Music and Electronics. The $1 bagel and coffee cart, and its immaculately dressed, well-composed and rich customers.
What diet
Forget bagels and coffee, to truly bring your tastebuds back to the NYC flavor, a deli or a diner is a must. The tourist-board-touted NYC slice of pizza notwithstanding, another truly New York experience is the New York diner or deli. Where the wait staff speaks strongly accented broken Noo Yawk English and bring your humungous plate of piping hot food in a brisk and efficient manner, where the bus boys clear away used plates and fill up water glasses in superspeed. Where a sandwich isn't just a sandwich - it's a smorgasboard of coleslaw, sweet and dill pickles, pickled peppers and golden fries, and the rueben sandwich is smothered with dripping melted swiss cheese too abundant for the plate. To top it all off with a steaming mug of diner coffee, refills free of charge, and creamy rich luscious cheesecake.
This is not a sob-story about my desire to return to New York... far from it. But I do remember the good times and they are worth thinking about, chatting about. So if you're in New York now, step out and enjoy what the city is about. It's more than just Wall Street, Madison Avenue and NYU. New York will love you if you love it back, doesn't matter where you end up many years from now.
1. A taxi receipt with "Call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX, let's chat" scrawled across the fare.
2. 3 dead AAA-size batteries
3. 10 Egyptian cents (is that even legal tender anymore?)
4. My business cards folded into different airplane shapes, presumably when I was really bored one day.
5. A key ring that held spare keys to Kerstin's flat (not anymore)
6. 4 sticks of lip balm (I don't know why there are 4. There just are.)
7. Spare battery for my mobile phone (Finally! Something useful!)
and last, but not least... a Flash Memory Card! At some point I must have taken it out of my camera and didn't put it back in. I wasn't sure how long ago that I acted so absent-mindedly, because, believe me, it happens more often than not. So I launched it today and the memory card contained pictures I took in New York this last trip back. They are not of anything too remarkable, but they were of places and things that were near and dear to me - so I'm going to post these pictures, not just to tell people about them, but to also give them the respect they deserve as bits of life I miss about NYC.
Where I Used To Work
This is a beautiful sunset from where I used to work. It faces the Hudson River, and on the other side in New Jersey is the Harborside Financial Center. My first job was in HFC, where I learned that working through the night on a project I'm committed to is well worth it. I also learned then that OJ was found not guilty by a jury that was not his peers. The financial district is where I witnessed the two planes crashing into the two towers, and other horrors beyond imagination. Across the Hudson is the spot where I watched Ground Zero transform from rubble to gaping hole to two beams of light to a gated construction site. All from the unforgettable experience of living aboard a boat. This is also where I would catch many a spectacular sunset, and my last visit there did not disappoint.
Mornings by City Hall
The confluence point of New York City politics and municipal power is right by this fountain. Within a 50 feet radius of the fountain, you can find: the FBI headquarters, the NY State Supreme Court, City Hall, NY State Family Court, the Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, Unemployment Office. The contrast between grand stone columns and high archways, reminiscent of the intellectual politicos of the 19th century, and the ornate Baroque style fountain in front of city hall is quite amusing. It is typical of NYC, this mix and match - elegantly carved building facades that sit contentedly next to a blinking neon sign for J&R Music and Electronics. The $1 bagel and coffee cart, and its immaculately dressed, well-composed and rich customers.
What diet
Forget bagels and coffee, to truly bring your tastebuds back to the NYC flavor, a deli or a diner is a must. The tourist-board-touted NYC slice of pizza notwithstanding, another truly New York experience is the New York diner or deli. Where the wait staff speaks strongly accented broken Noo Yawk English and bring your humungous plate of piping hot food in a brisk and efficient manner, where the bus boys clear away used plates and fill up water glasses in superspeed. Where a sandwich isn't just a sandwich - it's a smorgasboard of coleslaw, sweet and dill pickles, pickled peppers and golden fries, and the rueben sandwich is smothered with dripping melted swiss cheese too abundant for the plate. To top it all off with a steaming mug of diner coffee, refills free of charge, and creamy rich luscious cheesecake.
This is not a sob-story about my desire to return to New York... far from it. But I do remember the good times and they are worth thinking about, chatting about. So if you're in New York now, step out and enjoy what the city is about. It's more than just Wall Street, Madison Avenue and NYU. New York will love you if you love it back, doesn't matter where you end up many years from now.
posted by tygertyger at 9:19 PM
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