Update From New York

I wrote a little thinger for my husband’s company newsletter and today it was “published,” and so since inflicting my prose on a few Bates employees is not enough, I will post it here for you today!

This morning as we got ready for work we remarked how much the dark gray sky reminded us of Portland. As we walked out the front door of the lobby we were expecting the cold, drizzly Portland weather to greet us. Instead, it was 80 degrees and muggy as hell. For a minute, I guess we forgot we were in New York City.

Everything is different here. Even things which are exactly the same are different. Target looks the same on the inside, but when I temporarily go bonkers and buy out their whole inventory, I can't just toss it in the car and drive it home. I have to schlep it down subway stairs and through subway turnstiles. I have to lug it back up subway stairs and up to our apartment with the plastic handles cutting into my arms. I have perfected the revolving door technique so the bags don't get stuck, and by the time I get home I'm exhausted. Everyone go give your car a hug today.

Though our commute to work here isn't much longer than our commute was in Lake Oswego, the commute here is much hotter, stinkier, and grimier. You've never smelled real body odor until you're on a crowded subway, your face smack in some dude's armpit as he holds the railings above your head. But the people here are great; if they're not nice, they usually make up for it by being really entertaining.

New York City has the best sushi in the world. Brooklyn Heights is beautiful, and when we take walks in the evenings it's like being on a movie set. The brownstones are gorgeous! There is never nothing to do, and we have seen more celebrities than you could shake a stick at.

A few weeks back The Husband and I were sitting in Union Square eating hot dogs. We were sitting in a pretty crowded area when this guy wearing a blousy shirt, a Shakespearean collar, a crown made of white felt and rhinestones, a cape, and a skirt over his pants came over and stood in front of us and started un-stuffing a pillow. He put all the fluff up his skirt, in his sleeves, and down his shirt, so he looked like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. He then posed for us, flexing his poofy muscles. I looked around to see how everyone near us was reacting. The thing was, nobody seemed impressed. Sure, they looked at him, but they didn't smile or laugh, or even acknowledge the guy was there. Their faces were totally expressionless, and they went on as if nothing was happening. By this time the guy was wrapping his left foot in a plastic bag and had pulled the stuffing up around his face like a beard, still, nothing. 

That is SO New York City.

Hallelujah, Amen

Today while waiting for the subway I watched a group of guys praying aloud in a circle. I was a bit wary; people do some strange things in the subways, maybe it’s the grimy heat that does people in? I’ll never know.

So they said their amens and then suddenly they broke into the most beautiful five-part harmony.

Their voices bounced off the subway tiles and echoed down the tunnels. Most of the commuters ignored it and went about their business, but it made me grin like a goof all the way home.

Famous People

Did I ever tell you about the time I saw an Oscar winner in Brooklyn? 

B and I were busily walking to the Target on Atlantic Avenue (side note: never do that again!), when we saw Jennifer Connolly and Paul Bettany. I don't think anybody could love Paul Bettany as much as I do. He's just so geeky! They were in a toy store and even though B and I don't have kids, and don't really have toys either, we went in like we did and acted like total dorks. Jennifer Connolly is short and teeny tiny and had blotchy self-tanner spots on her ankles (life-affirming moment). Paul Bettany was tall and had a red jacket on and he was talking very loudly. Also I got to confirme my theory that he my B are dead-ringers and it made me intensely happy.

Once we were at a giant flea market in Hell's Kitchen and we saw Parker Posey, who was in You've Got Mail, which is hands down the most quoted movie in the Holbrook house. That same day at that very same flea market we also saw Marisa Tomei stroll in all beautiful and breezy and I tell you, The Husband fell in love. Bam! When I told my dad about it he said something about how she's such a cute girl and he's always really liked her, and his voice even got all misty. What is this strange power she has over men?

I saw Shia LeBeouf once in Little Italy on Mott Street. I may or may not have chased him into a deli.

Friday night in Times Square I saw Leon Hall. Does anybody know what he is up to these days? He used to do the Fashion Police with Joan Rivers back in the day? Believe it or not, he looks much better in person. His eyebrows aren't nearly as freaky in person as they are on my T.V. box.

Thoughts On Life

SOME THOUGHTS

1. I got an email from B the other day, and it was cute, and he's adorable (especially with his new Lumberjack Beard he's growing for me, to prove his manly manhood). The email goes like this:

Well, the repairwoman called me from the home-line. It was funny to get a call from home cause I already have the number programmed so it showed up as home. But neither of us are there. But I got a call from home. What made it funnier was the first thing she said was "is anyone in your apartment right now?" I thought, you are...


2. We've been having a September! We saw Glengarry Glen Ross on our anniversary, saw The Lion King this weekend (made me wish I were a dancer), we did the US Open, we saw a Giants game yesterday, and we have tickets for a yankee's game on B's birfday. This is a lot of sports and I hope my husband appreciates the sacrifice. We're seeing Spamalot in January, and then!! The Westminster Dog Show (chills up and down my spine!) on Valentine's Day.

3. There was a man in line (on line?) next to me at Duane Reade today wearing pink lipstick, with a purse, carrying a silver wand with a star on top. I love it here.



4. Speaking of, yesterday was the 4th anniversary of 9/11. Being here is quite humbling. Last night they lit the beams at ground zero. The effect was beautiful. The photo at the top of this post was taken at the end of our street. Is that nuts or is that nuts!

Chipotle I Love You

I made dinner last night for the first time in a month. This also happens to be how long we've lived in New York City. It's not the first time I've cooked or anything, cause I've made macaroni and cheese and a lot of ramen and a bowl of pasta once, but in terms of full-on dinner, last night's was the first. I'd forgotten how nice it is to cook and eat at home. Back in Portland we ate out rarely and usually had dinners at home. The evening seems longer, the food a little healthier, and if it wasn't for the dishes and the food splatters all over the countertops, I think I'd do this much more often.

Of course, in Portland it was simple.  There are cars and grocery stores that have everything all in one place. You don't have to hit three different grocery stores to get what you need, and you have a car to haul things back in. Here there are long lines and groceries that are too heavy to carry home, and don't forget I'm entirely on foot here and it is so much easier to call up the neighborhood Chinese joint or head down the street for some Chipotle burritos.

And that's really all I have to say about that.