Becoming a New YorkerBecoming a New YorkerFrom NC to NYC, the Good, the Bad, the Ugly - and even the Boring - of becoming a New Yorker, in my own words and others 
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Looking in the Mirror
2009-06-20 18:53:00 It was pointed out to me in comment on a post dated June 1, that my blog used to be interesting but has become lame. The comment certainly did not send me spiraling into depression. I did get out of bed the next day without a second thought of it until I later signed into my Blogger account. To be honest, I was surprised that someone actually followed my blog long enough to have had an opinion of when it was good.However, being one who never shies from self-introspection, the comment made me wonder if my life had, in fact, become lame. Rather than be offended, I took it as an opportunity to explore what my blog was becoming ... since my blog is ultimately a reflection of what I was becoming.This blog is written primarily for me with the intention that my older self will be the main audience. My motivation behind the blog was never to gain Internet fame or to garnish a book deal. It has served its purpose of documenting my own transition from North Carolina to New York City and the s... More About: Mirror
City of Perspectives
2009-06-03 05:53:00 When I think of evolution, I think of birds and dinosaurs, prehistoric man and opposable thumbs. I don’t often apply the theories of evolution to everyday life or my progression through age. But I was struck by the notion of a constantly transforming New York City as I dipped out of my apartment building in Hell’s Kitchen and trotted down the front steps.New York City is a very different city to a variety of people. I blogged about my relocation from Harlem to Hell’s Kitchen last year and was amazed by how the landscape of the city transformed within a mere six miles. Of course, there are the obvious and beautiful surface-level ethnic differences. Anyone can witness them by venturing from Chinatown to Little Italy to Harlem. There is the New York City for the native, the transplant and the tourist. But there are deeper levels of constant transformation that took me three years to consider or even notice.There is the New York City of the train commuters, the ones who can often ...
ShopNYC - Episode 1
2009-06-02 03:37:00 I am so excited about Natasha's first episode of ShopNYC!Read more on Natasha's ShopNYCTours blog.A Year Ago Today: Sex and the City: The Movie ... Life and the City: The RealityTwo Years Ago Today: Phone Photo Ops - Date Night More About: Episode , Episode 1
Photo Ops - Long Beach, NY
2009-06-01 02:49:00 The view over my shoulder.And the view to my right.A Year Ago Today: No postTwo Years Ago Today: Once in a Blue Moon More About: Photo , Beach , Long , Long Beach
"Things I Love" Thursdays - Side Walk Flower Stands
2009-05-28 19:26:00 I love walking by sidewalk flower shops in Manhattan. It's like aromatherapy in the streets."Things I Love " Thursdays are inspired by "I Love New York" (BNY, February 14, 2007). A Year Ago Today: No postTwo Years Ago Today:Memorial Weekend HighlightsSunday Mornings in Manhattan More About: Flower , Side , Walk
The Return of Fleet Week
2009-05-27 19:09:00 From the web pages of East Village Idiot - So funny that I've had to repost it or link to it every year during Fleet Week . I have to say that I continue to be disappointed each year that sailors aren't swarming the streets in the abundance portrayed on an episode of "Sex and the City," but men in firefighter gear continue to have a similar effect.Without further ado is the warning issued on May 24, 2007, by the East Village Idiot:Men of New York City,For the next seven days, you will have a mortal enemy. He is desperate to get laid. In a head-to-head battle, he will always get the girl. You will spend months trying to get into a woman’s pants, and he will get into them in one night. You will wear your very best designer clothing to impress a woman, and your enemy, in his standard-issue polyester uniform, will take that woman home. You will meekly suggest going back to her place, and she will laugh. He’ll suggest the same thing, and she will graciously accept, and perhaps even ... More About: Return , The Return
Memorial Day Weekend in ATL
2009-05-27 02:22:00 I went, I ate, I shot moonshine. Back in New York City.Summer trip #1 of 4 completed (Atlanta, GA).Next up: Turks and Caicos over the 4th of July weekend.A Year Ago Today: Unforgettable Day Weekend Two Years Ago Today: No post More About: Memorial Day , Memorial
Phone Photo Op - In Production
2009-05-23 01:57:00 You're more likely in New York City to use your lunch break to get your chipped pedicure fixed at NY Nature Spa on West 41st Street (yesterday) and notice this signage outside of Arena ... unless MTV happens to be filming a True Life episode of "I'm an Objectum-Sexual" in your hometown.Side note: If men knew the extent of our maintenance - waxing, shaving, trimming, dyeing, filing, polishing - they'd always have dinner ready and waiting for us.A Year Ago Today: "Things I Love" Thursdays - Dog ParksTwo Years Ago Today: No post More About: Photo , Phone , Production
"Things I Love" Thursdays - City Lights
2009-05-22 05:09:00 I love the view of the Time Warner Center from my bedroom window less than ten blocks away. I lay in bed at night and stare at the high rise lights until I fall asleep. It makes me feel like such a New Yorker within my exposed brick walls, looking through the bars of my fire escape.Often, as I lay there, I notice random lights turn on and off in various buildings. Sometimes I spy a shadow passing by windows and I'm curious about the hundreds - and thousands - of separate lives living around me in the skyscrapers of Midtown. It's one way to humble yourself and make your own problems seem a little less significant. That - or look at images of outer space from the Hubble Telescope.And often, as I lay there, I notice lights continually going on and off in the Hearst Magazine Building. It's home to the offices of popular monthly periodicals, such as Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, O Magazine, Seventeen and Redbook ... and I think it's haunted. I'm sure there is a logical - perhaps ... More About: Love , City , Things , Lights
Phone Photo Op - Wienermobile
2009-05-20 17:02:00 I walked by this on my way to the office ...... and had this song in my head for the rest of the day:Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer wienerbecause that's what I really want to be.For if I were an Oscar Meyer wienereverybody'd be in love with me.A Year Ago Today:R-E-N-TTwo Years Ago Today: No post More About: Photo , Phone
Neighborhood Gem - Sweet Emily's
2009-05-17 05:48:00 Terrence (back from the BJ League on his first visit during the off-season) and I discovered an adorable, below-street-level restaurant in my neighborhood with a menu so enticing that you need one or two rounds of drinks to decide what you want to eat.Sweet Emily's is run by Emily and her husband (and head chef) on West 51st Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. With its warm decor, flavorful plates and low prices, it is a new personal favorite among the Hell's Kitchen diamonds. Take advantage of reservation-less dining now before a feature in Time Out New York or a Zagat review change it from a local secret to a tourist headliner ... like Roberto Passon's once quiet brunches. But the city couldn't keep Roberto's $8 all-you-can-drink bellinis, bloody marys, mimosas and screwdrivers a secret for long.POST UPDATE:Oops. Too late: What to Eat at Sweet Emily's, Bringing Comfort to Midtown on SaturdayA Year Ago Today:Real Estate LOL - "Separate" KitchensTwo Years Ago Today:Six St... More About: Neighborhood
Phone Photo Op - Police Pony Ponderings
2009-05-15 14:41:00 Yesterday while walking home from work along Sixth Avenue, I watched a police officer write a parking ticket on horseback.And I momentarily stopped pondering quadratic equations and the global economic impact on farm subsidy programs and wondered who cleans up the manure when a police horse shits on the street?A Year Ago Today: "Things I Love" Thursdays - My Friends (Again)Two Years Ago Today:Cyber RelatingPhone Photo Ops - Lunch in the Park More About: Police , Pony
"Things I Love" Thursday - The Foods of New York
2009-05-14 17:54:00 The Foods of New York on NBC's Today ShowVisit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy"Things I Love " Thursdays are inspired by "I Love New York" (BNY, February 14, 2007). A Year Ago Today: Nightlife Highlights of LateTwo Years Ago Today:Phone Photo Ops - Subway PerformersBNY Updates
Phone Photo Op - Their Job is So Much Cooler
2009-05-14 04:43:00 While walking to work the other day, I saw "Good Morning America" news anchors bouncing on trampolines in Times Square; two blocks away, I got to answer phones, schedule meetings, create spreadsheets and process data charts.A Year Ago Today:Phone Photo Ops - End of East Village ServitudeCreating CoincidencesReviving my Greek LifeTwo Years Ago Today: No post More About: Cooler
Over It
2009-05-11 23:10:00 Straight to the front of the line, hugs and kisses with the bouncer, private escort through the back, free Goose and Moet for my girls, and I - instead - downed water all night like it cost $300 a bottle.Modest NBA Player [over loud club music]: I live in Miami.Me: Nice. Born and raised in Miami?Modest NBA Player: I play ball.Me: No, I didn't ask what you do. I asked if you were born and raised there.I think I'm starting to feel my age.However, sundresses, champagne, sushi and snacks in Central Park this afternoon were just my style!A Year Ago Today: The Latest Congestion Pricing StrategyTwo Years Ago Today:Phone Photo Ops - Company RoofdeckIt's Second Guess Thursday!
KFC Sit-In
2009-05-08 21:35:00 I can always count on my fellow citizens of New York City to demand chicken consumption equality for all.Oprah's Free Chicken Leads to Long Lines, Sit-InKFC Stores Mobbed by Coupon Holders Looking for Free Meal, Anger at NYC ShopA Year Ago Today: "Things I Love" Thursdays - May FlowersTwo Years Ago Today:Alternatives to Previous NormsPhone Photo Ops - Walking to Work
More Middle-Class New Yorkers Face Eviction
2009-05-06 17:15:00 Once ‘Very Good Rent Payers’ Now Facing Eviction By MANNY FERNANDEZPublished: May 4, 2009More of the city’s middle-class tenants, their jobs gone, are falling behind on rent, straining legal and financial services once used mostly by lower-income New Yorkers.Read More"It’s kind of dehumanizing. They see you as a certain kind of person. We’ve never been that certain kind of person."KEVIN BREWSTER-STREEKS, who, with his partner, was forced to leave his Bronx apartment after owing $7,000 in back rent.A Year Ago Today: No postTwo Years Ago Today:City Walk #6 - Midtown EastPhone Photo Ops - City Walk #6Phone Photo Ops - Street Trees More About: Middle , Face , Class , Middle Class
One Degree from Michelle Obama
2009-05-05 20:57:00 Texts you're more likely to receive living in New York City (or Washington, DC): I'm at the time warner center wrking the first lady till 10pm (sent by my secret service buddy).Thoughts you're more likely to have living in New York City: OMG. The First Lady is at the Time Warner Center - less than 10 blocks from my apartment!A Year Ago Today: No postTwo Years Ago Today: Subway Talk More About: Obama , Michelle Obama , Degree , Michelle
In the Wake of Tough Love
2009-05-05 03:27:00 Partied with our girl Natasha (and her adorable new beau) and her friend Abiola at the "Tough Love " Season Finale Charity Soiree last night at The 40/40 Club. I'm sure there are photos online somewhere.In the meantime, check out Natasha's new Shop NYC Tour blog, where she dishes about her company, ShopNYC Tours. Whether guiding tourists or locals, shopping vintage or high fashion or visiting the East Village or Meatpacking, you'll hear about the best shopping NYC has to offer.For more information about New York City shopping tours, visit www.shop-nyctours.com.Other irrelevant reports of the day: My boss sat next to James Worthy on a flight from JFK to LAX today. If you, like me, are not an avid basketball fan ... you may need Wikipedia or a basketball-savvy boyfriend to find out.A Year Ago Today:Brunching and Walking on a Sunday AfternoonCity Walk #19 - Upper West Side 4: Church and GownPhone Photo Ops - City Walk #19Two Years Ago Today: No post More About: Wake
Who's That Girl?
2009-05-03 03:58:00 It was a warm day in May. Jessica was nonchalantly flipping through a magazine in an Atlanta parking lot. Apparently Walter was taking his time in the local fresh market. A tiny bead of sweat formed above her furrowed brow. Impatiently, she turned another page, and there in the "What they were wearing" section ... a familiar face ...That's not how it really happened. We had actually been tipped off that she was in it ... but that's how we like to tell it. I mean, it's not every day that your best friend is 8x10" in a national magazine.Today's Black WomanA Year Ago Today: Phone Photo Op - Disappearing ActsReal Estate LOL - Embracing the College-Dorm-Life for LifeColleague Convo - Shoe-In KitchensTwo Years Ago Today: Phone Photo Ops - Through Windows More About: Girl
TGIF
2009-05-02 02:53:00 Welcome to the weekend!That's damn right.Taken outside of the House of Brews on West 51st Street and Eighth Avenue. A Year Ago Today:The Texts You Receive in New York "Things I Love" Thursdays - Street Vendor Regulars Two Years Ago Today: A Garden Grows in Harlem
Remembering Aprils
2009-04-30 18:17:00 As with previous months, the responsibilities of my expanded job position and ups and downs in my personal life have prevented me from blogging as regularly throughout April as I would have liked. Thus, affecting my Year Three in Preview, where "posts of present accounts of being will end with 'a year ago- and two years ago- today' links to the past of becoming until the third year comes full circle and the 'Becoming a New Yorker' blogtale is complete."So here is a year ago this month and two years ago this month for April:April 2008April 2007 More About: Remembering
Attack of the Swine Flu!!!
2009-04-29 14:53:00 ... Oh never mind. It's just a sore throat.Facebook maps swine flu hysteriaA Year Ago Today:My First Pair of ValentinosPhone Photo Ops - ValentinoTwo Years Ago Today: Indiscriminate Sunday: Societal Service, Cat-Sitting Cash & Tradition Choices (in Random Order)
Downtown, We Have [No] Problem
2009-04-28 17:57:00 NYTimes.com Quotation of the Day:"First thing is, I’m annoyed — furious is a better word — that I wasn’t told."- MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG, after a plane normally used as Air Force One and two fighter jets flew over Lower Manhattan.I heard about this the next day from someone in Georgia, but I'm sure I would have been concerned, too, if I had seen a low-flying Boeing 747 speeding in the shadows of skyscrapers and trailed by two fighter jets.Read MoreNot a quote of the day, week or month. Just of whenever. Until the next quote that moves me.A Year Ago Today: What Do Guacamole, Brisé volé, and Hookah Have in Common?Two Years Ago Today:West Side's Tale of WhoaPhone Photo Ops - Horseback Riding in the City More About: Downtown , Problem
Happy Administrative Professionals' Day
2009-04-22 19:41:00 ... to me!A gift card to Sephora and Starbucks from my bosses.April 22, 2009 was definitely better than April 22, 2008.Company name and logo blacked out to protect confidentiality agreements signed at the start of my employment.A Year Ago Today: My First NYC Emergency Room VisitTwo Years Ago Today:City Walk #5 - Lower East Side 1Phone Photo Ops - City Walk #5 More About: Administrative , Happy
"Things I Love" Thursdays - Summers in Bryant Park
2008-06-06 00:07:00 HBO Bryant Park Summer Film FestivalMonday eveningsGood Morning America Summer Concert SeriesFriday morningsWatching Usher performing live last week beforebeginning the workdayPinstripes in the Park Annually sponsored by Continental AirlinesFrom my boss's office, view of Yankee's fans watchingthe game on the big screenChess, Backgammon and PétanqueDailyReading RoomDailyFree WiFiDailyHappy HoursEvery day!Red CarpetsA random evening last summerFor more events, visit the Bryant Park online calendar."Things I Love " Thursdays are inspired by "I Love New York" (BNY, February 14, 2007).
Breaking News - Hope Nothing Gets Broken
2008-06-05 18:16:00 Happening two blocks away from my office right now. I'm too busy to go check it out in person (and if I weren't so busy, I really wouldn't care), but the news is breaking in real time on the web and it's getting a hardy chuckle in the office:http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/ 2008/06/05/man-scales-new-york-times-buil ding/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se ction=news/local&id=6187248http://www .wnbc.com/news/16510197/detail.htmlhttp:/ /gothamist.com/2008/06/05/breaking_someon .phpI guess it sort of helped the breaking news that he scaled a building where news is broken. More About: News , Breaking News , Hope , Breaking , Broken
Quote of Whenever - MLK's Vision on a Ticket
2008-06-05 15:22:00 The New York Times Quotation of the Day:"We as black people now have hope that we have never, ever had. I have new goals for my little girl. She can?t give me any excuses because she?s black."KWABENA SAM-BREW, an immigrant from Ghana, on Barack Obama?s clinching of the Democratic presidential nomination. More About: Vision , Ticket , Quote
Quote of Whenever - As Applied to My New York Life
2008-06-05 04:14:00 "In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends."- John Churton CollinsNot a quote of the day, week or month. Just of whenever. Until the next quote that moves me. More About: Life , New York , York , Applied , New-York
It's June in New York
More articles from this author:2008-06-03 15:10:00 This June on Actiondeb.com:http://www.actiondeb.com/ju necal.htmlYour Guide to Nonstop NYCAnd in a recent email from DrunkBrunch:And, just a quick note that I'll soon be publishing my famous list of summer activities in NYC! I'm going to post June's activities on neighborbeeblog (.com) this Friday, and will add the other months as they come along. It always renews my love for New York when I see how much there is to do!Find more events posted by Amanda on neighborbeeblog.com: http://neighborbeeblog.com/category/event s/ More About: New-York 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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