New York

[brigdh]

This apartment is bloody huge. I don't think I've ever had this much space; certainly never this much personal room. I haven't even had a bedroom of my own for the last four years! Considering the reputation of Manhattan apartments, this is awesome. I've have twice as much cabinet space in the kitchen as I did last year, and then I had to share it with four people instead of two. Not even the workers jackhammering this sidewalk across the street this morning while I was sleeping can discourage me.

The first thing I did with all this space was buy a papasan chair. I've wanted one for years, ever since I first sat in one. They cater to my tendency to sit in strange ways, with my feet higher than my head, or on my side, or curled up; they're adjustable and comfortable; they could be slept in as easily as sat in. In short, they are the best things ever. And now I have one, with dark wood and a green cushion: my life has meaning.

I don't have a phone or cable or the internet yet, which I thought would result is this being a very boring few days until it's installed. Conveniently, there must be a coffeeshop or something with free internet nearby, because I'm managing to pick up a network in my room. Just barely- it keeps going in and out- but I'm determined enough to make it work.

I've been walking around to buy groceries and do things for school, and I have to say that the grid system is very nice. All the streets and avenues are numbered, so I know how to get everywhere, even if I don't have a map and have never been there before.

The last two days have been grey, with rain off and on and so much fog that the tops of some buildings disappear. It seems like there's a grocery on every corner, and each one has fruits and vegetables and bouquets of flowers set out on the sidewalk. I love the big heads of the sunflowers and the bright colors of the orchids and the dusty white of the mums, next to the spiky bodies of pineapples and shiny plums and fuzzy peaches.

I also walked by a bookstore advertising eight miles of books, which I feel is proof that New York is the best place ever.

Comments

[kessie.livejournal.com]

SO JEALOUS, OMG. It sounds wonderful. *_* I went to Waterstone's in Piccidily while in London, which has about seven floors of books. Oh, man, I nearly spazzed. If I hadn't been with vinagrette, I would have spent hours there. Still, she started laughing when she saw the pile of books balanced in my arms, and I didn't tell her until afterwards that the pile had originally been twice that height. -_-

[kessie.livejournal.com]

Also: I've decided that damnit, I'm going to try and go to the US or UK if I manage to do a PhD. I'll just have to work my ass off for money, apply for every grant possible, and maybe take out a loan or two, but damnit, I'll do it somehow.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Ha! I totally have to go back and spend time there, because I packed less books than I'd realized. Woe.

But now I can get tons of new books!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

If you come to visit New York, you can stay with me, because I have OMG SO MUCH SPACE.

[kessie.livejournal.com]

I know. My main woe about Dublin is picking and choosing what books to bring home with me, because I can no longer pick and choose when I come home for the weekend. D: I have limited space and, well, I still even get the urge to reread the trashy Sweet Valley High books I've had since I was ten on occasion. Choices! Wah. :((

[kessie.livejournal.com]

Ahahaha, I'm fully expecting to live in a box, so I will be so jealous. :D All that space sounds awesome, though!

[chiasmus.livejournal.com]

How awesome. :D Take pictures? I'm envious, I'd love to live in New York someday~

The Strand!

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

It is 18 miles of books! It used to be 9, then they did an audit of the inventory for the first time in many many years and learned they could upgrade the mile count.

I have a T-shirt and a mug with the new logo. Because I am that lame.

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

I suspected you'd find internet access waiting. It's been years since I've travelled to a major city and not been able to count on the kindness of strangers for an open wireless connection within range of wherever I was staying, if only at the very outside of that range.

Aren't the fruit-and-flower places wonderful? They're one of the things I miss most persistently about New York.

[p-zeitgeist.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I forgot! Is the roommate there yet? If so, is she as much fun as her description suggested?

[drmoonpants.livejournal.com]

Sweet! Also: papasan chairs are COMPLETELY awesome. I miss getting to steal my sister's when we would both come home for the summer from college.

(p.s. ladysisyphus and I are like an hour train ride from Manhattan and are sometimes there, maybe we should have hangouts sometime?)

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

It is so hard to leave books at home! My mom was having this weird paranoia about the car being too heavy when we drove here, so I packed much less than I normally do, and now I feel bereft of books. I have empty bookshelf space! That never happens to me.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I haven't noticed the toilets being bigger, but it is great. Thanks!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I am planning to take pictures! I keep forgetting to take my camera with me, but I keep seeing things I want a photo of.

[chiasmus.livejournal.com]

Yay! Pictures of NY always seem cool. I really can't wait to visit it sometime this fall.

Re: The Strand!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

18! That is even more amazing!

I'm planning to go over there tomorrow and spend a while restocking my bookshelves. Because now that I know it's there, how could I not?

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I suspected you'd find internet access waiting.

It's very nice, especially since it seems like it'll take longer to be installed than I'd assumed. The company we contacted is apparently very busy this week.

Aren't the fruit-and-flower places wonderful?

They are. And the woman who works at the one directly across the street from me is insanely nice.

Oh, and I forgot! Is the roommate there yet?

She is! She's very nice- she didn't say a word about my having taken the larger bedroom, by virtue of getting here first- though perhaps rather quiet. I haven't seen much of her, actually, though that might just be since we've both been busy the last two days.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I fell in love with them by stealing a roommate's a few years ago, and have wanted one of my own ever since.

(That would be awesome! But only if you pretend to not notice my actual complete uncoolness.)

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

You're visiting this fall? What's the occasion?

[chiasmus.livejournal.com]

Placebo concert. :D And my roommate and I want to catch at least one musical on Broadway since I haven't been before.

[lucifrix.livejournal.com]

Whereabouts in NYC are you? I have to admit, I am stunned to hear that you're living in a big place in NYC--I know someone who paid $120K for a 3rd floor walkup with 1.5 bedrooms and a tiny bath and no out-facing windows!

I go to NYC 2 or 3 times a year (or I try to), and there's something inexplicable about it I just love. It sounds corny, but somehow the air feels different...I so rarely even take advantage of uniquely NYC things, never went to the museums or Broadway. My only usual stops are Katz's deli (pastrami, lots of mustard), Rice to Riches (various awesome flavors of rice pudding), and Toys in Babeland (adult toy shop). Oh, and on my last visit I went with a friend to the South Street Seaport mall, and instantly became addicted to those lounge chairs that overlook the river. I could've sat there all day.

[drmoonpants.livejournal.com]

No worries, man, we are giant lamers ourselves. And awesome! :D We shall have to plan.

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

I'm in Stuyvesant Town- it's part of a deal with the school. But I've heard all kinds of horror stories about the cost and size of apartments, so I'm dreading having to find one next fall. We only get to stay here for one year.

And yes, it's an amazing city. I'm loving it so far.

Re: The Strand!

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

Excellent! (Also, I would love to get together for coffee when you have time.)

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Just let me know when you're coming in to the city!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Never lame!

Hee. I have yet to be trapped by my chair. I'm managing tojust, you know, sit in it.

She's nice! Very quiet, so I haven't really seen that much of her, but I've got nothing to complain about.

Re: The Strand!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

That would be great. Though, as I'm telling everyone, I fear I am not nearly as interesting in real life.

Re: The Strand!

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

Then we will match perfectly, because neither am I.

[mistressrenet.livejournal.com]

I endorse your last sentence. It's nice to see you settling in!

[wordsofastory.livejournal.com]

Hee, who doesn't?

Thanks!