Perhaps a couple of you giggled at the mention of how New York smells; maybe in reverence to Bill Hicks, maybe just on solo reputation. I don't blame you, it's not a fantastic smell in this city. Nor does every street glow with cleanliness. This is a very populated city. It stinks and its dirty. But I knew that before I came. That's in integral part of New York. It would be a different city were it pleasant to be around. London is hardly clean (cleaner, yes), and only Japanese cities have impressed me with odour and dirt levels. But when I holiday, I try to experience what it's like to live there. I'm living in New York. I don't have a hotel or a tour guide. I am just trying to experience it.
This brings me back to the character and personality of the city. This is like the most densely populated part of London, multiplied over a massive area, spanning islands. It is just full of people, all going about fast paced and stressful lives. And I am more stressed here than in California, especially in the record breaking heat, but that is the lifestyle, and I love it. It's like the city is throwing obstacles at me at every corner, and when I dodge, I get great rewards. A wonderful view, a gust of cold air, a massive commercial store selling stuff you've seen in every television show about New York... spectacles. It's somewhere I could live, I'm enjoying it like I expected, and I could live here (if I could afford it) for a while. Not forever, but I am a city person, and this is THE city.
But I am always reminded by memories that it isn't really important where you are, it's who you're with. My old friend Christopher Kiew-Smith said that just before I went to Japan last year. I only learn its truth more and more each time I go anywhere.
I was too hot today. It's just too hot. I have to go inside somewhere every few minutes to survive. Cold drinks are crucial, and staying out of the shards of sun makes life easier. Starbucks has been my friend. It's like walking into a fridge.
I just encountered a group of very friendly elderly women, who chatted with me for a long time about all sorts of topics. I spoke about my life and my plans, and they seemed to be impressed, and they shared their tips for the city. The one I spoke to mainly grew up in Brooklyn, and recommended good things to do, such as a comedy club and a good steak house nearby. It was very fun to share stories of my experience, and it was good to speak with genuine New Yorkers, despite being occasionally interrupted by a noisy Frappucino machine.
The subject of comedy came up because I just purchased a ticket to Improv, the club where Seinfeld shot the comedy scenes and Eddie Murphy started out. I should have considered comedy beforehand, but I'm going to the matinee soon enough.
I'm considering a temporary blog redesign just for the next few days. It just involves an image change rather than a redesign, but it'll be relevant and temporary.
I've spent my time in Starbucks now, and I've used my last free drink coupon. I still have a free McDonalds one, but that isn't as tasty or refreshing.
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