We rode in the pouring rain. 11 miles? Done.
a crowd gathers
Spending my nights dodging rain. Here’s a quiet night spent in a neighborhood with scattered Chinese shops and restaurants and amongst them: an assortment of small music venues, small eats, boutiques. And such is the culture of Lower Manhattan: all the neighborhoods criss-cross, share streets, buildings and people.
An intersection of Chinatown & Lower East Side, New York City.
Not communicating in person is absolutely okay. Right? So many alternatives exist that not having to face someone is no big deal. With online social networks, it’s easy. Too easy.
For me, it started out in the journaling world, back when the word “weblogs” were more common than the shortened “blogs”. The social nature of online confessional writing intrigued me. I was able to connect with strangers as we shared stories and secrets, which provided a strong sense of identity. I detailed my day, my feelings, my thoughts. I also connected with others’ writings & profiles and joined special-interest groups.
It’s not that different today, but I’m no longer a great content producer. No more lengthy journal formats. I’ve become more of a micro-blogger, a Facebook-status or Twitter 140-character writer. Other social aspects I crave are neatly packaged in Facebook — the maintenance of online identity, the browsing of others’ profiles, the messaging. And yet that’s not enough. Add Livejournal, CouchSurfing, LinkedIn and that’s at least 5 active social networking accounts I maintain. Top that off with the more direct channel: AIM/G-chat, e-mail, call/text, and that’s at least 8 ways to communicate.
At some point, I’ve realized I’ve become overloaded. Sure it’s easy to reach someone, but how meaningful is that one Facebook wall post as opposed to a phone call? Welcome to Communication 2.0.
Happy 2009! I realize it’s already been more than a week into it. I’m slowly easing into the year and revisiting this blog. I’ve made some small design tweaks and text edits. This year, I’m not going to let this blog sit and collect dust! This post is a start.
So far in 2009, I’ve:
- Gotten more involved with the CouchSurfing community through attending and organizing events.
- Gone to American Museum of Natural History for the first time.
- Signed up for a creative writing class
and I will be planning to:
- Ice-skate for the first time in many many years!
- Re-vamp my site & blog
- Travel to Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
- Continue studying French
- Read! Book recommendations are welcome.
Lately I’ve been exploring/considering other living options… not too soon, but maybe around next fall. I’m feeling bolder than ever, mostly over the fact that I’ve managed to “settle” in this metro area. Quite an adjustment from Californian suburban living. If I managed this, why couldn’t I try other cities? Yet other American cities pale in comparison to New York City. I read travel guides about the City as compared to others, and I do want to refute a few points. read more…
The title explains it all – where do you head to when you are by yourself in the City? I’ve found out that it is the worst to be alone into the late evening/night. But if during the day, you want to go out, here is what I’ve noted: read more…
Too bad Pam Beesley is not actually going to be at Pratt – No, The Office is going to film at University of Southern California instead according to E-Online!
8 months ago, after I told a boy who sat next to me on my flight back to New York where I lived in Brooklyn, he said, “Oh, so do you go to Pratt?” I had never heard of Pratt. I had just moved from Greenpoint, in the northern tip of Brooklyn. Pratt Institute sits in a nice little neighborhood in Clinton Hill/Ft. Greene only a few blocks from my current apartment. I pass by the school on the way to the grocery store, the bank, the library and the park yet it’s so esoteric to me. Their gated campus, neatly mowed lawns, security and art store intimidates me – mostly because I don’t belong.
It’s been a while — my apologies. I’ve been in the far West, California, the land of sunny dry heat. Well, everywhere else this holds true besides where I was – in the peninsula of San Francisco which is a pocket of fog. I stayed on an isolated overcast plateau, Inner Richmond. It’s a very nice neighborhood that just needs a little more sun and a bit less wind. Is it summer when you’re putting on more than two layers daily and still finding yourself shivering? read more…
“Would you not block my way?” – a hurried woman behind me on a cross walk near Penn Station (34th St & 7th Ave, NYC). I looked around me only to see around 3 other people crossing the big avenue.
“What is that upstairs, an Asian singles party?” – a woman commenting on the crowd at the Sosauce social last night at Piano’s (LES, NYC).
“Hey miss…” After turning around to face this man in a large jersey, he continues, “You’re beautiful…. but you have an ugly personality.” Before I can react, he’s nearly out of eyesight and goes, “You’re not my type anyway!”
The attempt to preview Death Cab For Cutie’s new album, Narrow Stairs was a failure; I was so impatient, and quite frankly bored, that I turned to an older release, The Photo Album, which was undoubtedly my favorite, even more so than their “classic” albums like Something About Airplanes. Maybe I’m just nostalgic for 2001. After all, I also loved Saves The Day’s Stay What You Are and Bright Eyes’ Lifted, or The Story’s in the Soil… (though that came out in 2002). I was an insular 16 year old who’s only reality and consolation was the young “independent” music scene at a time when I could finally drive myself to shows. The prospect of meeting these musicians and sharing music was so enticing – that is, until I actually met them. Ben Gibbard with his sweaty hands and blank stares and Conor Oberst and his drunk demeanor and crooked smile. But it was a phase that I grew out of… I think. No x’s on my hands now when I go to bars for shows because I’m a grown-up. If only Death Cab could pick it up with more inspired Postal Service-esque tunes, we’ll all be a little more engaged and happy!