And so, tomorrow we leave the city. I’ve been here a full four years now. Four years sounds so short, but much like New York itself, it has been extreme dense and full. I truly love this city, but it is time to move on and take this adventure elsewhere; all the way to California!
Thing I will not miss: The noise. I am so ready to experience some semblance of silence, especially at night and in the morning. At our apartment, on the streets, at the office… my eardrums are constantly bombarded. The smells. Especially this time of year, the stench is just out of control! The subway construction. It has gotten really awful this year and it’s only going to get worse. I am thrilled to be getting away from our shaking building, yelling construction workers, jackhammers, and the general disarray and destruction that goes along with all of it. The office. I have been stuck in this windowless place for nearly 4 years and I have been climbing the walls to get out of here. I count myself so lucky that I have job I can do form nearly anywhere. I hope never to set foot in a traditional office again! The people. Some days I have more patience for it than others, but it feels as though, recently, my tolerance for slow people and large crowds is incredibly low. I am looking forward to some more personal space.
Things I love: My friends. We have met some really amazing people who have made our lives in NY so rich and exciting! The people. Even though the masses of people get to me sometime, I don’t think I’d have it any other way (aside from the “tourist lanes” haha!). It creates such a vibrancy and energy, no matter what time of day or night. The subway. Yet another piece of the city I have a love/hate relationship with. But really, as much as I complain about what the MTA is lacking I know that having access to such an expansive public transit system is a luxury not provided in most cities (I’m from Atlanta, so trust me, I know). The sites. I am so amazed to think that I live within walking distance of Central Park, The Guggenheim and The Met! I work with the Empire State Building, Time Square and Bryant Park right out side! All I have to do is take a short train ride and I can see the Statue of Liberty or Union Square! I’ve walked up and down Broadway and Fifth and Madison Avenue more times than I can count. I am sometimes just completely caught off guard by how amazing this city is. New York I love you and I know we’ll be seeing you again really soon!
For the next month, during our road trip, I’m not sure how frequently I’ll be updating the site. Maybe weekly… but we will have to see how things feel once we’re on the road. I’ve also put the stores on vacation mode. At the very latest we will see you in September!
Sorry about lacking in the posting department yesterday. Woke up feeling pretty yucky and then had to go to my doctor’s appointment (annual checkup). Jack and I did go see Inception for the second time late last night at the Ziegfeld. If you have the chance I highly recommend this theater (along with seeing Inception again). It only has one screen, but it’s a huge and gorgeous space!
Jack and I only have today and tomorrow! I’m freaking out a good bit, as one would expect. Back to work for me!
Just saw the parents off, but we’ll be seeing them back in Atlanta very soon! Though I worked yesterday I was able to steal away for lunch at the Chelsea Market, where we ate at Friedman’s Lunch. After work we met Rei, Jessie and Drew at the Great Lawn in Central Park for the New York Philharmonic’s Concerts in the Parks. Though there was a great loom of gray clouds, it ended up staying dry and cool. Twas a beautiful night!
This weekend was just as busy and fun as I thought it would be!
Friday
Immediately after I got off of work I met up with the parents and Jack and went to the top of the Empire State Building. This was both Jack and my first time up there, so, aside from the (numerous) lines, it was very very cool! Dinner at Genesis and then I passed out!
Saturday
Brunch at Bondi Road (our NY crew’s usual brunch place, but my parents had never been) and then it was on to DUMBO. Last time I took the parents out to DUMBO it was cold, uncomfortable and unpleasant, so I wanted to take them back knowing my way around better and knowing things would be more lively in the summer. Once we were back in the city we roamed around SoHo for a bit and met back up with Jack. Then we traveled back into Brooklyn for dinner; this time to Williamsburg. Dinner at Fada. We found an amazing church festival near the restaurant. They had rides and games and music and everything!
Sunday
I awoke extremely early (6:15!) to meet my dad so we could walk the island! It took a little while to get all the way to the Northern point, having to deal with a bus crosstown and then the 1 uptown. It was a tougher walk than I thought and feet began to give out on me around 34th St. Thankfully, I had my Dad there to pull me through to the end and we made it! Mom and Jack joined us in SoHo and we had a late brunch at Aurora. We further wondered SoHo, then uptown for a shower and quick nap (which at this point I desperatly needed!). After getting a little dolled up we all headed down to Chelsea / Meatpacking District, checked out the newer parts of the High Line, wonderful Thai for dinner and coffee at Doma.
For more picture from the weekend, check out our Flickr feed. Mom and Dad are currently on a day-trip out to the Hamptons and I’m about to head out for Monday Night Bingo. Talk to you soon!
Well, I am busy busy busy today! But I wanted to drop a quick note. We had a great weekend! Saturday I checked out the Brooklyn Museum’s Free First Saturdays and saw our friend, Lexi, win a great Art Battle! Then Sunday was spent with Rei and Drew. We met up at Sip and then casually made our way from Riverside Park to Central Park and then downtown to Jack’s office to watch the fireworks. It was the perfect way to view the show over the Hudson! Yesterday and today are all about cleaning; and back to it I shall go!
I drank a good bit this weekend… more than I have in a while. We met up Friday night with some of Rei’s Fordham friends and played card games late into the night/early morning. I then woke up late, Saturday, and headed off to Studio Square for a “Happy Hour Day.” OMG there were so many people there for the US World Cup game! I actually don’t remember exactly what time I got in Saturday. Don’t think it was too late, but I slept in good and late on Sunday anyways. Jack and I went down to Union Square and The Stonewall Inn areas to catch the aftermath of the Pride Parade. It felt like a very active weekend; got to see lots of people and enjoy myself!
Changing demographics, budget issues and big construction jobs force planners to perpetually tinker with the subway routes, said Lunden, an MTA veteran. The train names have always been a work in progress. Back in the 1930s, NYC Transit first start assigning letters to the lines, picking roughly in alphabetical order. Local routes were given double letters and an express a single one, like the “A” and “AA” running along Eighth Avenue. The numbers were first added in the 1940s, but it took 20 years to fully phase them in, Lunden said.
At its peak in 1967, the MTA was home to 34 different routes, including such confusing lines as the MJ, QJ and six different “SS” shuttles.
I thought these were especially interesting tid-bits:
Recycling: Letters have sometimes been recycled. The K was introduced twice into the system, only to bow out. The T was used before, and could come back for the Second Avenue Subway.
Diamonds: Were used for some express routes during rush hour, but by 2004 no one understood them anymore and they were eliminated except on the No. 6 and 7 lines.
I, O: Looks too much like numbers to use.
P, U, Y: Also no-no’s, as they sound like words.
X: Has been used as a placeholder for lines under development. Was considered for a line from Sixth Avenue to the World Trade Center, but the route never surfaced.
Once upon a time a California boy met a Georgia girl in New York. They didn't get along, at first. But, little by little, they fell in love. Today they are happy and still very much in love, running a business and a blog together.
Once upon a time a California boy met a Georgia girl in New York. They didn't get along, at first. But, little by little, they fell in love. Today they are happy and still very much in love, running a business and a blog together.
