Going home to Rochester is always a feat. Especially after being in a city that heightens your energy levels by simply walking on the street vs. sipping some Red Bull. After a day of corresponding with company agents and office debauchery, the smells of the city send a wake-up call like walking into a brick wall. But I digress...
It's about going to Rochester. About slowing the pace of life down a bit.
I'm hesitant to go for various reasons. Yet tomorrow, another fellow and hopefully faithful Craigslist-onian will represent 'us' well. I say 'us', because I believe so many of us search the site for a few reasons - whether they're entertainment, purpose or boredom-based - and so often do we see an ad worthy of a response. Yet our fingers fail to traverse the keyboard, striking keys and composing an answer.
Tomorrow, someone's fingers got the better of them though because I got a response to the ad I posted requesting a rideshare home. Yay. You all know I thrive on the unknown.
Thinking back, a year ago I relaxed in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In a Buddhist country, evidence of Christmas and New Years only exists because of the tourists. I sat eating dinner in an Irish pub, drinking beer for $1.70 and watching the sky light up from lanterns and fireworks. Never had I felt more in the spirit of celebrating. It's ironic, I think. Being in a country surrounded by monks who give versus take...and there I was, loving it all at the crossroads of Eastern faith meeting a Western upbringing. Buddhists believe if one can free themselves from attachments, an unworldly level of happiness will be reached. And now I'm in New York City where it seems not having attachments equals suffering. It's akin to a shopaholic not being able to buy anything.
The title of this post is (c'mon all you Irish lads, correct me!) a phrase seen on signs when exiting more populated cities/towns in Ireland: Slan Abhaile. The literal translation is 'Safe Home'. Tomorrow's a day of traveling for a lot of folk. And wherever you may be reaching out toward, in whatever space you wish to be, I wish you well during this holiday season. I wish you well, always.
Slan Abhaile.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Facing the Music
...or the comments.
Riding the train in the city is entertaining and ultra-revealing. Thursday must've been the day from Hell for commuters because I had never witnessed such blatant acts of disrespect. When these unsettling moments occur, I usually do 1 of 2 things: pray (in whatever capacity an atheist can pray) no one gets hurt or laugh about people's behavior.
Thursday I did both.
In the morning I witnessed a girl consciously kick her foot from behind. Why? In hopes of it meeting up with the girl who just passed by and obviously got a bit too close for comfort. Had her actions been successful, that impulsive and aggressive behavior would've made her a much better person, right? I'm hoping my sarcasm is revealed.
The commute home proved not as physical, but much more verbal. At one point it caused a non-claustrophobic person to feel super aware of their personal space. Of which I had none. Instead I listened to the, "Yo, calm down man", "Stop pushing", and "What are you going to do about it" sequence of comments while those taller than me fixated their gaze on the escalating tension.
My remedy for the rush-hour train traffic? Amidst the puffy winter coats suffocating your space, your neighbors hair brushing against your face, and the random arm stretching at an awkward angle just to get a hold of a pole...you've gotta face the music. It's better to be over occupancy in a train car than a bathroom stall on an interstate highway. Hey - I've always been one for optimism.
Happy Days!
Riding the train in the city is entertaining and ultra-revealing. Thursday must've been the day from Hell for commuters because I had never witnessed such blatant acts of disrespect. When these unsettling moments occur, I usually do 1 of 2 things: pray (in whatever capacity an atheist can pray) no one gets hurt or laugh about people's behavior.
Thursday I did both.
In the morning I witnessed a girl consciously kick her foot from behind. Why? In hopes of it meeting up with the girl who just passed by and obviously got a bit too close for comfort. Had her actions been successful, that impulsive and aggressive behavior would've made her a much better person, right? I'm hoping my sarcasm is revealed.
The commute home proved not as physical, but much more verbal. At one point it caused a non-claustrophobic person to feel super aware of their personal space. Of which I had none. Instead I listened to the, "Yo, calm down man", "Stop pushing", and "What are you going to do about it" sequence of comments while those taller than me fixated their gaze on the escalating tension.
My remedy for the rush-hour train traffic? Amidst the puffy winter coats suffocating your space, your neighbors hair brushing against your face, and the random arm stretching at an awkward angle just to get a hold of a pole...you've gotta face the music. It's better to be over occupancy in a train car than a bathroom stall on an interstate highway. Hey - I've always been one for optimism.
Happy Days!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
A Winter Wonderland
This past week, NYC must've sent an open invitation for all things 'Winter-like' to arrive into the city. Between the tree-lighting at Rockefeller Center, the exquisite window displays adorning Times Square and Fifth Ave, and awakening to the sound of plastic scraping against concrete as the first snowfall left NYers shoveling footpaths. The jump, jive and hooplah of the holidays (and winter) is here.
I'm always left marveling at reactions given by friends how NYC dresses up at this time of year. One would think, how could a city that has already captivated the world's attention through film, fashion and the arts, trump it's already well-established position as numero uno in the creative/visual and performing arts?
Visit during this holiday season and you'll see. You'll witness the splendor of lights and just how visually stunning a city can be. It's candy for the eye. And you know me...I don't like to admit or partake in enjoying art displays that encourage consumerism. Yet even UNICEF has a snowflake display. Sure, there must be some level of goodwill between humanitarian agencies and a piece of art made of Baccarat crystals, right?
And lastly, eat 'Nutz for Nutz'. Despite their year-round availability, there's something about their smell wafting throughout the streets during this season. It takes you back to the days of sitting in front of a yule-log with hot-cocoa. Even if that wasn't a pasttime, I'm sure you can imagine it.
Be warm and well.
I'm always left marveling at reactions given by friends how NYC dresses up at this time of year. One would think, how could a city that has already captivated the world's attention through film, fashion and the arts, trump it's already well-established position as numero uno in the creative/visual and performing arts?
Visit during this holiday season and you'll see. You'll witness the splendor of lights and just how visually stunning a city can be. It's candy for the eye. And you know me...I don't like to admit or partake in enjoying art displays that encourage consumerism. Yet even UNICEF has a snowflake display. Sure, there must be some level of goodwill between humanitarian agencies and a piece of art made of Baccarat crystals, right?
And lastly, eat 'Nutz for Nutz'. Despite their year-round availability, there's something about their smell wafting throughout the streets during this season. It takes you back to the days of sitting in front of a yule-log with hot-cocoa. Even if that wasn't a pasttime, I'm sure you can imagine it.
Be warm and well.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
...(ellipses)
Knowing the first post on a blog should be the most creative in order to maintain the reader's interest...I've already failed. I couldn't think of a title worthy enough. Bold or captivating enough. Just the mental weight and obligation in providing 3 or 4 words sequenced together in a such a way that would leave you curious, hungry for more and revisiting 'my space' left me clinging...
Clinging to what? Well, envision how a monkey clings to its mother during infancy, a small child holding their blanket like a protective shield, or an alcoholic who can't admit to their addiction and thus attaches themself to a world blurred by bottles...I'm left clinging to the idea that no title could really serve my first post justice.
On that note, I'm beginning, and closing this entry with an explanation. The meaning of the title of this blog unfolds...
As some of you already recognize, 'Finding Neverland' is the name of a Johnny Depp film. To me though, in this effort to blog/write, to search a city for all its nuances, hole in the wall bars and reveal the discovered in an 'undiscovered' light...it is the title I've chosen to represent time here. I suppose it signifies my attempt to find that place, that thing, that someone which leaves us bursting with joy, feeling weightless&free, and challenged to live our passion and 'career' as one. NYC is deemed the city that never sleeps. It truly is amazing and capable of fulfilling anyone's dreams. People began their life here hundreds of years ago in attempt to 'start over', to have a 'better life'. It is the approach and understanding that so many of us possess upon moving/settling here.
I know a lot of people don't find credence in fantasy-based films, but the title 'Finding Neverland' seemed to fit like a glove...whether or not Peter Pan is believable, I think it's a valid statement to say that globally, we're all searching for a place we can call 'Home'.
Clinging to what? Well, envision how a monkey clings to its mother during infancy, a small child holding their blanket like a protective shield, or an alcoholic who can't admit to their addiction and thus attaches themself to a world blurred by bottles...I'm left clinging to the idea that no title could really serve my first post justice.
On that note, I'm beginning, and closing this entry with an explanation. The meaning of the title of this blog unfolds...
As some of you already recognize, 'Finding Neverland' is the name of a Johnny Depp film. To me though, in this effort to blog/write, to search a city for all its nuances, hole in the wall bars and reveal the discovered in an 'undiscovered' light...it is the title I've chosen to represent time here. I suppose it signifies my attempt to find that place, that thing, that someone which leaves us bursting with joy, feeling weightless&free, and challenged to live our passion and 'career' as one. NYC is deemed the city that never sleeps. It truly is amazing and capable of fulfilling anyone's dreams. People began their life here hundreds of years ago in attempt to 'start over', to have a 'better life'. It is the approach and understanding that so many of us possess upon moving/settling here.
I know a lot of people don't find credence in fantasy-based films, but the title 'Finding Neverland' seemed to fit like a glove...whether or not Peter Pan is believable, I think it's a valid statement to say that globally, we're all searching for a place we can call 'Home'.
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