MY JOURNAL OF
EXCITING NEW YORK STUFF
The Trip
In Which Kathleen Meets an African and a Cabdriver
As some of you may know, traveling between the two coasts of this country has become an ordeal. I've heard stories about how air travel used to be very refined. People dusted off their best manners for the occasion. After all, they were flying in an AIRPLANE. How distinguished!
Now it's a Greyhound that flies. You are trapped for 5 hours in a plane with the rest of smelly humanity that you would cross the street to avoid if you saw them coming toward you. I had a window seat on this plane, in a 3-across section. I made my neighbors move once, to let me in, then stayed put for the entire flight. The flight was greatly enhanced by my neighbor, a small African man who had no concept of personal space and who managed to sprawl out of his seat despite his small stature. He reminded me of my cat, who is not content to just lie next to me with his paws on me, but who must stretch often and push at me with them. I'm in his way, you see. As annoyed as I was with him (the African man, not my cat, although Grover annoys me in other ways), it was kind of amusing to watch the American man in the aisle seat react to having him (the African) lean his (the African's) head against his (the American's) shoulder.
The only other highlight to the trip was the cab driver's comment that my husband was crazy to let such a beautiful (but I blush!) woman come to New York by herself. When I informed him that my dear husband trusted me, he assured me that he wasn't worried about my morality, but rather the "hot men" in New York. What these men would supposedly do was not specified. I got the impression that they would be lurking in every doorway, ready to tear off their whiskers and pounce. I've looked (just curious!) in a few doorways since I've been here, and not a one has there been. Maybe it was wishful thinking on his part. I did carefully watch this cab driver as he drove away to make sure he wasn't planning on coming upstairs to help me unpack.
By the way, I should mention that I'm staying with Keith's cousin Susanna, who has a nice condo in Chelsea. She is generously letting me sleep on her hide-a-bed and is putting up with having my suitcases all over her living room. I don't think that I would be so tolerant myself. We are getting to know each bit by bit--she's never home!--and I'm really glad we have some family in town--and such a kind-hearted person at that.
The First Day
In Which Things are Shiny and New
The sun was shining, and it was cold. Very cold, but very beautiful out. New York IS exciting when the weather is good. Lots of bustle and promise. So I had only a few tasks for this day--get the basics--phone, mailbox, etc. Much harder than you would think. But eventually it has all happened, as you all have seen at the beginning of this document.
The Second, Third and Fourth Days
In Which Kathleen Wants Her Mommy
When I woke up, it was still beautiful but cold outside, but I wanted with my entire body, soul, and heart to get back on a plane and go home. I missed Keith, I missed all my friends and family, I missed my cat, I missed having a place to live and I missed living somewhere where you don't have to put on ten layers to go outside. I missed being able to see the sky. I missed my mom and mom-in-law. I just wanted to curl up and not have to face all the things that had to be done.
But I did face it. I have a job interview on Friday for a company that does presentation graphics. They are looking to eventually fill a graveyard shift, 12-8. Then there are temp agencies galore and people keep giving me new leads daily. So I think I will find some work here eventually. I also have several auditions for local opera groups set up, and two church job auditions in the works.
The Weekend
In Which Kathleen Meets a Long Island, Two Old Friends, and a New Cousin.
Susanna's sister and her family were in town, so I vacated to the Leo House, which is cheap and clean, but no luxury hotel. Unfortunately, my room was right next to the old-fashioned elevator, which meant I had the pleasure of listening to it operate all night. I thought at first that some deranged nun was dragging a wardrobe back and forth along the floor in the room directly overhead, but later when I realized the truth, I was a little disappointed. It wasn't half so interesting.
But I did get to escape the city and go see some family friends in Long Island. Bernie and Cyndy have a home out in Mastic Beach, and I took the train out there. That island is huge! I'm not sure that it should really qualify as an island. More like a state surrounded by water. It took an hour and a half to get to their house, and they live only about halfway out.
We had a wonderful time. They took me to the beach where we proceeded to walk along the shore and freeze our ears off. Cyndy handed me a piece of shell that she said the Indians used to make wampum out of. I confess, I didn't give it back. I'm carrying it around in my coat pocket. I'm not sure why. Also a little white rock that I picked up.
The rocks at the beach look very different than the ones on the beaches in California. They are much lighter in color, and many are pastels. I wanted to collect a bunch of them, but it was so cold that it was all I could do to keep walking.
They made me dinner and we had a wonderful time. Bernie drove like a madman to get me to the train on time. I jumped on it just a second before it took off, and I must confess that I felt a little like I was leaving home again as I hugged him goodbye.
I had breakfast with a friend of ours from L.A., John, the following weekend. It was really good to see him. I told John how friendly everyone is here, and he looked at me a little bit strangely. He said that people are not that friendly to him. So we analyzed the situation and he pointed out that New York is a place where there are a lot of lonely people who never talk to anyone, then here comes Kathleen from L.A, who walks up to them on the street and asks them about the bus and who keeps talking. I have met so many people here. And they all wind up giving me their phone numbers in case I need some help. Either people like me or they are worried about me, I can't decide which.
Adventures in Housing
In Which Kathleen Finds Out the Truth About New York Apartments
Well, today I looked at closets, uh, I mean apartments. A cute 1-bedroom that had just been renovated was going for $1275. I walked in, saw the bedroom, saw the kitchen, then it dawned on me. "But where is the living room?" I asked as we walked toward the door. She gestured to a little 4-foot patch of wood flooring next to the kitchen. "This is it???!!!???" I gasped. I couldn't believe how small that apartment was. For $1500 you can rent an apartment with a living room that is the size of the bedroom. Yikes! Tomorrow I'm looking in Brooklyn. |
