Realcity Check 6/1
This week’s reports from the city’s reality
I swore it wouldn’t happen to me! I wouldn’t become too cool, too hip, too jaded. Could I ever walk past the Wall Street Bull and not be amused by his shiny, oft fondled nether regions, or catch a glimpse of the grand Lady of the Harbor and not feel the subtle shiver of first-generational American pride? Recently, I failed both tests. The realization hit me while working in Battery Park late last week. I was doing my job, just trying to get from A to B when I found myself thinking negative thoughts about the horde of tourists with their Bermuda shorts, floppy hats and flag-laden T-shirts stretched over much girthy girth-ness. On my third or fourth trip back from B, I finally saw why they were all crowded into this small space. No, they weren’t ogling street kids doing skateboard tricks, they were attending a ceremony for fallen war veterans at The East Coast War Memorial. After a few moments of feeling like a jerk, I walked out to the edge of the park and allowed myself a minute to gaze into the harbor. I apologized to Lady Liberty and I resolved to spend my holiday weekend re-discovering New York City. I walked over The Brooklyn Bridge, took a Staten Island Ferry cruise and walked past the Empire State Building while looking up and bumping into people. I ate a gyro on the steps of the Met and had Papaya King dinner dogs at 86th and 3rd Avenue. On Sunday afternoon I met up with a friend at the swanky 230 Fifth Roof Bar and sipped Flatiron Margaritas while getting drunk on the Midtown skyline. The weekend finished with a sunset walk along The High Line. It really is a hell of a town…
-Vinny Bogan
I love holidays, and I’m well aware that New York City is a popular mecca for the tourists to flock to every time a three-day weekend rolls around, but honestly, brothers and sisters, can’t you pick another city? Yes, our economy depends on you, your influx of dollars helps keep our economy moving and the wheels of the Metro North and the Long Island Railroad turning, but honestly, can’t you just leave us alone for one holiday? Sure, taking the kids to Governor’s Island might be fun, but I’m sick of walking into your strollers because you’ve decided to abruptly cut in front of me and then act as if this collision is somehow my fault. Sure, it’s awe-inspiring to gawk at things in Times Square, but I’m tired of being blindsided as you bump into me from behind and then blame me for not having eyes in the back of my head. Simply put, you’re a guest in my home, conduct yourself accordingly. I don’t care if you’re greasing the wheels of my city’s industry, you need to play by the rules. If these rules involve the invocation of Social Darwinism, then let the more advanced organism win. I will still live here when you’ve retreated back to the safe haven of Bear Creek, Pennsylvania. What’chu got?!
-Corey Pajka
After the endless rainy days which made me question if summer would ever come at all, finally the sun is shining and the weather is warm. With such beautiful weather making it safe to venture out into the city once more, I have to question why I’ve been seeing so many people bringing bikes onto the subway lately. A day doesn’t go by without seeing at least one person taking up valuable space on a crowded train with their bike. What is the purpose of this? Isn’t the point of bike riding having the freedom to get from Point A to Point B on your own accord without being a slave to the MTA’s schedule? I’m not a city bike rider myself (due to a healthy fear of a giant car crushing my tiny body) so maybe I’m missing something here?
-Katie Dinardo
Besides New York’s sweltering heat waves, the toughest thing to endure in the city each year is apartment hunting and moving. I haven’t reached that point yet — soon enough — but I helped my buddy Jonathan move from Washington Heights down to Greenpoint during the holiday weekend. He accumulated quite a bit of stuff during his time here, which made me consider how much stuff I’ve collected during my time here. Before moving to West Harlem, my last three apartments were furnished sublets, experiences that taught me to condense life into the bare minimum of suitcases and boxes that can fit in a livery cab. Ideally, though, I think I’m trying to build a life while trying to find out where to settle down. Uptown living has been an invaluable experience, but it’s not where I’m meant to be. I should take a note from Jonathan and start looking south; that’s where my true home could be.
-Justin Levine
I’m falling into a tunnel. Every day I go back and forth from work, and barely stray out of my way to pick up a bodega sandwich. It’s all right for now because it means I’m getting enough hours and I’m not hanging out at home, but in the long term I’m going to have to shake things up. I’m setting goals for myself, but failing to achieve any of them because I can’t prioritize which ones I should work on first. Should I go to the gym today after work, or visit a museum in town? Should I clean the apartment or see about getting an extra shift? I end up doing neither when realistically I have time for both. This week, my first goal is to break the rut I’m in, somehow.
-Jeff Swoboda
Last week it all made sense, this week it’s devolved into chaos. Oh, New York. The first bout of warmth tricked me into lethargy, but I forgot that it also encourages a whole new level of activity. Between more demanding hours at the restaurant (curse you, patio!), more friends wanting to hang out and more city craziness to report on, my free time has shrank considerably. Thankfully, the fire escape outside my office window has also become the perfect balcony. At least once a week I set up shop with a lawn chair, book and a beer. Surrounded by a profusion of lush tree branches, I’m nearly invisible. All of my demons are still close at hand — the wash of BQE traffic a reminder of my fellow citizens, the grill-happy neighbors a cue to see my friends and the nearby laptop a direct call to action — but for half an hour I can tune them out. Despite my gripes, I’m thankful for all of these things (life would be very boring without them) but sometimes you just need a moment away.
-Cole Rosengren
