Thursday, October 28th, 2010

There was an old man in the subway station today. He had a heavy bag in hand and was wearing a khaki sweater with a green jacket and sneakers. He was hunched over and waiting for the elevator up to the next platform. His curved back makes it impossible for him to straighten up so that unless he cranes his neck, he stares permanently at the ground. He stood and waited patiently and while I waited for my train, my heart broke watching him. He seemed so alone and isolated and I was sad: for the countless others like him in New York - elderly, alone and being passed by every day by the millions of people too busy to care.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Ah, fall foliage - a beautiful time of year. Unfortunately it has been dreary the past couple of days but setting aside the unseasonably warm weather (and return of higher levels of humidity) I love the colors slowly appearing. It is still relatively early, so more changes will come, but sometimes it is nice to pause and appreciate the gradual changes that happen every day all around us.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010

Sometimes living in New York sucks. For a large majority of people it is the equivalent of living in a college dorm. Half the buildings don't have an elevator. A large percentage don't have washers or dryers and for those that do they are communal style just like in college. There are people everywhere so you never feel like you truly have your own space (unless you're up early on Saturday or Sunday - the whole city is hung-over so you basically have full run of the city at that time, though of course almost nothing is open). If you have a car, you'll have to troll around for parking, again just like at many colleges. There is this feeling of stunted progression; like you should be moving forward with your life but you can't. New York is a city with Peter Pan syndrome.

Obviously Peter Pan images are owned by Disney. Duh.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

So here is a New York question: when you're walking down the street on the way to work, feeling pretty good, and a crazy person pauses in their rambling to tell you "cute outfit", should you be more worried that a crazy person is talking to you, or the fact that they thought your outfit was cute?

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Monday, October 18th, 2010

What is the deal with people in New York and their random expensive food? Example number one: Fage yogurt. Is it delicious? Sure (especially the kind with the honey and strawberry additions). Had I ever heard of it before moving to New York? No chance. Or how about ZICO coconut water? Anyone out there been hydrating with some ZICO lately? You can bet New Yorkers are! I saw a guy drinking some on the subway on the way home today. And you can polish it off with some Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream (perhaps ginger flavor).

Verdict: This doesn't really inspire Love or Hate, so I'll go with Laughing at New York Today.

Friday, October 15th, 2010

Sorry, another walking picture. I was walking around 52nd street and saw this spectacular view of the Chrysler Building. It was lit up because night was approaching but the sky was still light. I tried to capture it with my blackberry but this picture really doesn't do it justice. It was beautiful. Stumbling across this view is one of those times when you think to yourself "I am so lucky to live here."

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, October 11th, 2010

WTF - it is hailing in New York right now! This is a first (at least for me since moving here). I have seen snow. I have seen sideways rain. I have seen intense humidity and heat. But not hail. Well, at least I was inside when it started.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

A brief scene from my walk home today:

I was walking along, minding my own business (as usual) when I hear a commotion behind me. Behold the crazy on the bike! Today's specimen was a strung out dude wearing military fatigues (clearly this was not someone who ever served in the armed forces). He was yelling as loudly as he could:
"I love the devil! I love Satan! The devil, Satan, the devil, Satan!"

Charming.

Verdict: Today it was *almost* funny rather than horrifying so I'll go with Love New York Today.

Sunday, October 2nd, 2010

It seems that overnight fall arrived in the New York. Where just two weeks ago it was shorts and sandals everywhere, today it is scarves and jackets. Fall is probably my favorite time of year in the city. It is beautiful, the days aren't as short (yet) and there is an energy that the other seasons don't seem to have. Sitting on the couch with an open window on a day like today is the ultimate way to spend a Sunday afternoon.


Verdict: Love New York Today