I've recently had reason to start taking stock in my life and paying attention to things and people around me. This is not to say that I've never had reason, but let's just say that I've started listening more. That said, I've begun to look around, at people, places, things, experiences and have tried to place these all in their own spaces in my life. If you try and take a larger, macro-view of your life all at once, it's likely you'll be overwhelmed. So we categorize all the pieces and stack or pile them in place, usually chronologically, with the hopes that at any given time when we want to revisit that experience or feeling gained from the experience, it's right there in our memories, like a card catalogue.
Wouldn't it be amazing if that concept actually worked? Say you had a particularly great time one day doing something really cool. You could just scroll back in your mind and practically re-live the entire experience all over again. This is probably why we take pictures or recount stories with others: so we can continue to tell ourselves what a great time that was or look at a picture and try and bring back the feeling we had that day. Maybe this works for some of you, but I've lost that ability.
I've been thinking a lot lately about my life just a few months ago. I had started my current job and had been there just long enough to start making some great friends. We'd all just returned from a trip to Puerto Rico, on Mr. Dow and things were just going great. Now, I'm not saying that things aren't going great now; they are. But I've come to the conclusion, looking back on this period of my life, which really just happened, that things aren't the same. No single moment in time or experience is ever the same as the one before it or the one right after it. They're all different, some with different people, some in different places. I'd be lying if I said I'm not sad about the fact that I'm unable to transport myself back, even if only in my memory, to these various points of time in my life.
I guess my point to all this rambling here is that you've really got to enjoy what's going on while it's happening. Your memories are amazing and one day will prove extremely valuable, usually a day when you're not trying to conjure up that first kiss or the feeling of getting a new apartment, whatever the exciting time may be. So enjoy it all now. It may be that tomorrow is just as good or better, but there's no use hoping for that tomorrow. Enjoy today. Enjoy your friends. Enjoy the people you love and enjoy their love. Take everything as it comes to you and make the best out of it. Surely, there are amazing times ahead, and we've all had amazing times in the past. Everything should be an amazing time. That's what it's all about for me.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
What's the deal with me and this city?
It could just be that I'm recovering from a weekend of black-out drunkenness or perhaps that during that blacked out period I lost my phone, but I'm just not getting what's going on with my relationship these days. No, not the one people have with other humans... I'm talking about my relationship with New York.
Lately, it seems this city is saying to me "Yeah, right... Go home kid". From the cab driver who so politely enforced that I pay for the vomit I left in his backseat to the guy who flat-out walked HEAD-ON into me this morning, this city and I don't seem to be getting along. Now, in all fairness, I'm not speaking of the city in its physical form, or even its "spiritual" form. Clearly, I'm speaking of the individuals who reside here. It's important to also note that I'm speaking of a very small percentage of these individuals as most folks I encounter on a daily basis are neither polite nor impolite, they just exist.
My fascination with Manhattan, as I'm sure I've pointed out in the past, is consuming at times. From my first job downtown on 6th to my current job, in midtown, also on 6th, I've just been amazed at the fact that I work here. I used to get off the train from the suburbs and marvel at the fact that, not 8 years ago, I was coming to "the city" as one of those kids who likes to get drunk on St. Patrick's Day and skip high school (which was ok in junior year; I was hardly there). Now, I'm a full-fledged resident (well, of Brooklyn, but soon to be Battery Park City) of this great place and I just can't seem to figure some parts of it out. I've yet to find a part of the city that makes me say "I wish I was back home" (home being 60 miles north in Orange County, NY).
The one part that I do wish I could leave everyday are the shitty fucking people who stand out in this city. If you just go about your business, showing some level of courtesy throughout the month, you'll largely go unnoticed, which is fine, save for the few people who realize you're being courteous and not "weird". But if you act like a total fucking asshole, man, you're right there for everyone to see. The guy screaming at the top of his lungs at his wife on the subway platform about his stupid fucking shirt she didn't pick up or the asshole on the bike who thinks lights don't apply to him and LITERALLY ran over my shoe clearly are not required for this city to function. Granted, I'm far from perfect (those of you who actually have met me can attest to this) but I really just want to have one day, shit, maybe even 2, where none of these people exist, at least in my path to and from work. Maybe I'm not "New York" enough to just tune this out. Regardless, it gets old. So any of you out there who may be totally inconsiderate and a real piece of shit, feel free to not cross my path, sooner rather than later. In no way am I angry or upset about this; just worn out. I'm sure we could all use a little more courtesy and consideration (I sound like a public service announcement on the subway.)
Clearly not everyone here sucks. But just to make sure I'm driving this point home, I CAN'T stand the woman who stands on 6th ave, between 42nd and 43rd, handing out AMNY newspapers in the morning. She whines, fucking WHINES "AM.... AM.... AAAAAAAAAAM" all morning. I spend maybe about 7 seconds in this location each morning as I climb out of the whole in the ground for the F, but those 7 seconds are sheer fucking torture. Can't she mix it up with "AMNY" or "Free newspaper" like the METRO guy does? Why all morning must it be "AM... AM.... AM.... AM...."?
Enough complaining, back to work.
Lately, it seems this city is saying to me "Yeah, right... Go home kid". From the cab driver who so politely enforced that I pay for the vomit I left in his backseat to the guy who flat-out walked HEAD-ON into me this morning, this city and I don't seem to be getting along. Now, in all fairness, I'm not speaking of the city in its physical form, or even its "spiritual" form. Clearly, I'm speaking of the individuals who reside here. It's important to also note that I'm speaking of a very small percentage of these individuals as most folks I encounter on a daily basis are neither polite nor impolite, they just exist.
My fascination with Manhattan, as I'm sure I've pointed out in the past, is consuming at times. From my first job downtown on 6th to my current job, in midtown, also on 6th, I've just been amazed at the fact that I work here. I used to get off the train from the suburbs and marvel at the fact that, not 8 years ago, I was coming to "the city" as one of those kids who likes to get drunk on St. Patrick's Day and skip high school (which was ok in junior year; I was hardly there). Now, I'm a full-fledged resident (well, of Brooklyn, but soon to be Battery Park City) of this great place and I just can't seem to figure some parts of it out. I've yet to find a part of the city that makes me say "I wish I was back home" (home being 60 miles north in Orange County, NY).
The one part that I do wish I could leave everyday are the shitty fucking people who stand out in this city. If you just go about your business, showing some level of courtesy throughout the month, you'll largely go unnoticed, which is fine, save for the few people who realize you're being courteous and not "weird". But if you act like a total fucking asshole, man, you're right there for everyone to see. The guy screaming at the top of his lungs at his wife on the subway platform about his stupid fucking shirt she didn't pick up or the asshole on the bike who thinks lights don't apply to him and LITERALLY ran over my shoe clearly are not required for this city to function. Granted, I'm far from perfect (those of you who actually have met me can attest to this) but I really just want to have one day, shit, maybe even 2, where none of these people exist, at least in my path to and from work. Maybe I'm not "New York" enough to just tune this out. Regardless, it gets old. So any of you out there who may be totally inconsiderate and a real piece of shit, feel free to not cross my path, sooner rather than later. In no way am I angry or upset about this; just worn out. I'm sure we could all use a little more courtesy and consideration (I sound like a public service announcement on the subway.)
Clearly not everyone here sucks. But just to make sure I'm driving this point home, I CAN'T stand the woman who stands on 6th ave, between 42nd and 43rd, handing out AMNY newspapers in the morning. She whines, fucking WHINES "AM.... AM.... AAAAAAAAAAM" all morning. I spend maybe about 7 seconds in this location each morning as I climb out of the whole in the ground for the F, but those 7 seconds are sheer fucking torture. Can't she mix it up with "AMNY" or "Free newspaper" like the METRO guy does? Why all morning must it be "AM... AM.... AM.... AM...."?
Enough complaining, back to work.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Could it be????
Yes, that's right, I've actually found suitable housing in Manhattan. Not only have I found suitable housing, but the other occupants I'll be sharing the space with are normal and they actually want me to live with them! So, it's official, I'M MOVING TO MANHATTAN!!
Here are the details: Huge (about 15x22) room in the Financial District, close to the river and not too far from the A/C/E and 1 train. We have a doorman and laundry in the building (a big deal for a Brooklyn guy like myself). The other roommates are cool; I know one of them from Binghamton and the other one seemed like a chill guy. The room itself is nearly larger than my apartment in Park Slope now. The best part: The floor is not collapsing!!
So I'm moving September 1st. Everyone else out there who is still searching, keep your head above water. It's damn near impossible to find what you want, so you have to settle sometimes. I wasn't willing to compromise on the size of the room, but was willing to walk 5-8 minutes to get to a subway. Also, the neighborhood isn't exactly crawling with bars and restaurants, but I'd rather have a place to get away from that, but still be close enough to everything (i.e. in Manhattan and not 45 minutes out in Brooklyn). So make a list and figure out what's important to you and what's not. If you're willing to live in a closet and be 5 floors up with no elevator, then you could find a room tomorrow, in any neighborhood.
There are some things I will miss about Brooklyn but not too many. I'll probably miss the cool Thai place that finally opened up after 3 months of delays on 14th and 7th (Watana Thai, great food if you find yourself in that part of Brooklyn). I'll also miss the excitement of moving to my first place outside home. I really would stay in this place if it was not falling down. But it's better for me to be closer to work and friends and have a stable place than to be out in Brooklyn, worrying that I might wake up in a pile of what used to be my building.
Here are the details: Huge (about 15x22) room in the Financial District, close to the river and not too far from the A/C/E and 1 train. We have a doorman and laundry in the building (a big deal for a Brooklyn guy like myself). The other roommates are cool; I know one of them from Binghamton and the other one seemed like a chill guy. The room itself is nearly larger than my apartment in Park Slope now. The best part: The floor is not collapsing!!
So I'm moving September 1st. Everyone else out there who is still searching, keep your head above water. It's damn near impossible to find what you want, so you have to settle sometimes. I wasn't willing to compromise on the size of the room, but was willing to walk 5-8 minutes to get to a subway. Also, the neighborhood isn't exactly crawling with bars and restaurants, but I'd rather have a place to get away from that, but still be close enough to everything (i.e. in Manhattan and not 45 minutes out in Brooklyn). So make a list and figure out what's important to you and what's not. If you're willing to live in a closet and be 5 floors up with no elevator, then you could find a room tomorrow, in any neighborhood.
There are some things I will miss about Brooklyn but not too many. I'll probably miss the cool Thai place that finally opened up after 3 months of delays on 14th and 7th (Watana Thai, great food if you find yourself in that part of Brooklyn). I'll also miss the excitement of moving to my first place outside home. I really would stay in this place if it was not falling down. But it's better for me to be closer to work and friends and have a stable place than to be out in Brooklyn, worrying that I might wake up in a pile of what used to be my building.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Obsessive behavior?
Around this time, last summer, I went on a health/fitness kick that I'm finding myself coming around to again. I would severely limit my caloric intake as well as make every attempt to burn off more than half of what I took in everyday. The result: I lost 40 pounds in about 3 months. Although I didn't have any kind of muscle definition, I felt great. I wouldn't describe myself as "overweight" but, like most Americans, I have some areas that I'm not too proud of. So to see those areas shrink or disappear felt really good.
The problem I face (forgive me any ladies reading this, I understand most of you go through this on a daily basis) is that when I get to where I want to be, I find it's hard to regulate and maintain that weight. Of the 40 I took off, I put 20 back, and most of that came rushing in when I moved to Brooklyn. It's too damn easy to eat like crap in this city. Usually after coming home at 7 or 8, after one of those "I did a ton of work today and I'm not just saying that to justify coming home at 8" days, I'll stop by the Thai restaurant or the Chinese place or pick up pasta and sauce from Russo's. Carb-loaded with rice or pasta and always greasy. But, it's fast and I'm tired.
So what do I do on those days when I'm trying to stay healthy? Park Slope is great, but there are no "do-it-yourself" salad spots around. Plus, people in Brooklyn have this body image thing, kind of akin to "I might have some extra meat on me, but I've got some curves (if you're a woman)" Mind you, I prefer ladies with curves, so that's fine, just pointing out how this mentality doesn't fly in Manhattan, really... For guys, I find it's more of a "I'm too cool to go to the gym. Plus, I live in Brooklyn, and I pretend not to care that I'm still single and 35 and it's all because I won't adjust my eating habits or drinking with my boyz."
Clearly, I don't want to fall into any of that, and I don't want you to get the impression that it's all about looks with me: not at all. In terms of women, I'm much more attracted to a girl who's got the curves than one who's really thin. Laws of physical attraction, according to Noonan, dictate you have the womanly shape and not the 12-year old boy shape.
In terms of my own weight though, I'm very much aware that my overall quality of life is much higher when I'm slimmer, not just in terms of health, but just being happy with myself. I'm also much more confident, not just with the ladies but also throughout life. But do we need to be obsessive to get to where we want to be? In my career, I often think that if I work harder or constantly put my nose to the "grindstone" that I'll be promoted. And, that pretty much works. So why wouldn't I try to be just as diligent with my weight? In no way is what I'm doing actually unhealthy: I'm not puking or eating a string bean for dinner with a side of water. But I'm working out, I'm eating less, I cut out the ice cream and other things that I'm craving RIGHT NOW AS I WRITE THIS. So hopefully, in a month or so, I'll be back to where I want to be in terms of my weight and then I'll have had enough time to figure out how to maintain what I have and not gain some or all of what I spent so much time and energy losing. Any comments on this or suggestions of how to maintain are welcomed.
The problem I face (forgive me any ladies reading this, I understand most of you go through this on a daily basis) is that when I get to where I want to be, I find it's hard to regulate and maintain that weight. Of the 40 I took off, I put 20 back, and most of that came rushing in when I moved to Brooklyn. It's too damn easy to eat like crap in this city. Usually after coming home at 7 or 8, after one of those "I did a ton of work today and I'm not just saying that to justify coming home at 8" days, I'll stop by the Thai restaurant or the Chinese place or pick up pasta and sauce from Russo's. Carb-loaded with rice or pasta and always greasy. But, it's fast and I'm tired.
So what do I do on those days when I'm trying to stay healthy? Park Slope is great, but there are no "do-it-yourself" salad spots around. Plus, people in Brooklyn have this body image thing, kind of akin to "I might have some extra meat on me, but I've got some curves (if you're a woman)" Mind you, I prefer ladies with curves, so that's fine, just pointing out how this mentality doesn't fly in Manhattan, really... For guys, I find it's more of a "I'm too cool to go to the gym. Plus, I live in Brooklyn, and I pretend not to care that I'm still single and 35 and it's all because I won't adjust my eating habits or drinking with my boyz."
Clearly, I don't want to fall into any of that, and I don't want you to get the impression that it's all about looks with me: not at all. In terms of women, I'm much more attracted to a girl who's got the curves than one who's really thin. Laws of physical attraction, according to Noonan, dictate you have the womanly shape and not the 12-year old boy shape.
In terms of my own weight though, I'm very much aware that my overall quality of life is much higher when I'm slimmer, not just in terms of health, but just being happy with myself. I'm also much more confident, not just with the ladies but also throughout life. But do we need to be obsessive to get to where we want to be? In my career, I often think that if I work harder or constantly put my nose to the "grindstone" that I'll be promoted. And, that pretty much works. So why wouldn't I try to be just as diligent with my weight? In no way is what I'm doing actually unhealthy: I'm not puking or eating a string bean for dinner with a side of water. But I'm working out, I'm eating less, I cut out the ice cream and other things that I'm craving RIGHT NOW AS I WRITE THIS. So hopefully, in a month or so, I'll be back to where I want to be in terms of my weight and then I'll have had enough time to figure out how to maintain what I have and not gain some or all of what I spent so much time and energy losing. Any comments on this or suggestions of how to maintain are welcomed.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Nice normal guy seeks apartment for less than a fortune with normal people
From my title, you can tell where I'm headed. Right into a brick wall. Living in New York is great and I really wouldn't want to be anywhere else. But moving from Brooklyn to Manhattan is near impossible unless you own Google or have a grandmother who lives in rent-controlled heaven and is on a respirator... Clearly she's on her way out.
These past weeks searching for an apartment have been torture. I'm not in a position to live on my own yet, as I can't afford the rent. So for now, I'm attempting to find a share. July or August, either is fine. I just want to find people who are ok to live with and a room that's not advertised as "12x15" and is really "1x5".
Which brings me to my next problem with the situation (I'm really not a miserable person, most of the time): posting on Craigslist. I love the site, found my first place on it. I cannot, however, stand some of these people's postings. Allow me to translate what some of them mean:
"I'm rarely home" = "I have no life and pretend that I do so you'll think you're getting 1/2 a roommate."
"I'm a light smoker" = "I chain smoke 3 packs before and after dinner."
"Prefer female, but either is ok" = "Clearly I won't live with a guy but I'm technically not allowed to discriminate on Craigslist, so I have to put both. Guys, don't call."
"Utilities not included (around $60-$70 a month" = "$60-$70 if you don't turn the lights on, watch TV, breathe, and take a shower EVER."
"My beloved old roommate is leaving for a better job/life/girl/etc." = "I'm scary and this guy finally figured out that I've been performing evil chants at night with the hopes that he doesn't wake up in the morning."
As you can see, it's tough going. Part of me almost wants to give up, but the other part is driven and really does want to get into Manhattan. However, both parts are severely hungover today, so it'll have to wait another day.
(If anyone reading this has any ideas or contact, please email me pnoonan127@gmail.com. I'm looking for a share, South of 96th street, will live with guys and girls, budget is $1200 (no higher, I have a big student loan). Thanks.)
These past weeks searching for an apartment have been torture. I'm not in a position to live on my own yet, as I can't afford the rent. So for now, I'm attempting to find a share. July or August, either is fine. I just want to find people who are ok to live with and a room that's not advertised as "12x15" and is really "1x5".
Which brings me to my next problem with the situation (I'm really not a miserable person, most of the time): posting on Craigslist. I love the site, found my first place on it. I cannot, however, stand some of these people's postings. Allow me to translate what some of them mean:
"I'm rarely home" = "I have no life and pretend that I do so you'll think you're getting 1/2 a roommate."
"I'm a light smoker" = "I chain smoke 3 packs before and after dinner."
"Prefer female, but either is ok" = "Clearly I won't live with a guy but I'm technically not allowed to discriminate on Craigslist, so I have to put both. Guys, don't call."
"Utilities not included (around $60-$70 a month" = "$60-$70 if you don't turn the lights on, watch TV, breathe, and take a shower EVER."
"My beloved old roommate is leaving for a better job/life/girl/etc." = "I'm scary and this guy finally figured out that I've been performing evil chants at night with the hopes that he doesn't wake up in the morning."
As you can see, it's tough going. Part of me almost wants to give up, but the other part is driven and really does want to get into Manhattan. However, both parts are severely hungover today, so it'll have to wait another day.
(If anyone reading this has any ideas or contact, please email me pnoonan127@gmail.com. I'm looking for a share, South of 96th street, will live with guys and girls, budget is $1200 (no higher, I have a big student loan). Thanks.)
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
6-6-6
Today, apparently, is some fusion of math, science, and potential devil-worship. It's somewhat embarrassing that the fact that today, June 6, 2006 (6-6-06), somehow representative of some big hell party, is actually making local and national news! Do people really think that somehow, today, because of MATH, is going to spontaneously be "the end of the world" or spawn some sort of evil hell-on-earth character?
There actually is some sort of mathematical explanation for the natural occurrence of "666". Apparently, this number appears quite often in nature and math (see The Mathematical Association of America). The previous link will actually explain all the different mathematical occurrences of "666" and the reasoning behind these instances.
Living in New York, I believe I have a unique perspective on 666: Is there really any difference when comparing this day to any other? I believe it was "5/15/06" when a homeless man approached me on the subway and yelled all sorts of explicatives about .5 inches from my face. That sounds pretty life-ending to me, yet it wasn't 6-6-06. Or how about the various "street meat" carts that adorn midtown corners all year round. I'm sure that food is just as likely to kill you and send you to hell on any day, forget a day that happens to be "damned" because of the coincidental date and folklore. The sad thing is that I actually heard on the radio this morning that cities are placing extra cops on patrol, just in case some people really think the world will end.
I say, go out and enjoy today, much as you would any other day. It's hard enough making it through a day in this city without having to deal with mathematical coincidences that have no bearing on anyone's life in any way, shape or form. Watch out for that bus hurtling up 6th ave that's too close to the sidewalk; take notice of the creepy man sitting next to you who looks like he might have a bomb on the subway; don't walk through Bed-Stuy after dark. But don't pay attention to 6-6-06; you've got enough to worry about.
There actually is some sort of mathematical explanation for the natural occurrence of "666". Apparently, this number appears quite often in nature and math (see The Mathematical Association of America). The previous link will actually explain all the different mathematical occurrences of "666" and the reasoning behind these instances.
Living in New York, I believe I have a unique perspective on 666: Is there really any difference when comparing this day to any other? I believe it was "5/15/06" when a homeless man approached me on the subway and yelled all sorts of explicatives about .5 inches from my face. That sounds pretty life-ending to me, yet it wasn't 6-6-06. Or how about the various "street meat" carts that adorn midtown corners all year round. I'm sure that food is just as likely to kill you and send you to hell on any day, forget a day that happens to be "damned" because of the coincidental date and folklore. The sad thing is that I actually heard on the radio this morning that cities are placing extra cops on patrol, just in case some people really think the world will end.
I say, go out and enjoy today, much as you would any other day. It's hard enough making it through a day in this city without having to deal with mathematical coincidences that have no bearing on anyone's life in any way, shape or form. Watch out for that bus hurtling up 6th ave that's too close to the sidewalk; take notice of the creepy man sitting next to you who looks like he might have a bomb on the subway; don't walk through Bed-Stuy after dark. But don't pay attention to 6-6-06; you've got enough to worry about.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Trader Ho's
I set out yesterday afternoon in search of "groceries". I've been making an attempt, for some time now, to eat healthier food, which typically entails brining lunch to the office and eating dinner at home (healthier and cheaper). So after my first attempt a few weeks back to find Trader Joe's on 14th (yes, it's right on 14th but for some reason, I failed to go east of 4th ave the first time and thus ended up at Whole Foods), I finally made it back some time around 4:30 yesterday afternoon.
The first initial entrance into this place leads you to several conclusions: 1) It's crowded... and not that typical "oh everything in New York is crowded but we all just deal with it" type of crowded... This place is Tokyo-subway type of crowded. 2) It's small, despite also being crowded. I wrestled a basket thing away from the pile in the front and set out, not really knowing what I wanted, but thinking along the lines of "light bread, vegetables for a salad, fruit to bring to work, soy-based snacks, etc". One thing to note about Trader Joe's (unless there's a secret compartment): their produce line-up flat out SUCKS. The whole point of trying this place out was in hopes of finding better produce than Whole Foods, which has great produce, I'm sure, in any other store BUT the one on 14th. So after coming to the conclusion that I'd need to go elsewhere for produce, I decided to try and get some bread. Easier said than done. Apparently, in order for bread to be "organic", the word "light" cannot appear on the packaging, for this implies something less than organic. I don't really give a rat's ass about organic bread, but I do want something that has less than 400 calories a slice, which this crap didn't.
I proceeded to pick out some other things: organic tostito's, organic pretzels, organic something else.... Then I started to notice the people. Many people just standing around, seemingly in a line, but in places where no line should be. The checkout is at the front of the store and these people were seemingly lined up near the rear of the store.... What's going on here? Yeah, that's right, that's the line for the checkout. After further inspection, I realized that it stretched all the way around to form a complete square in the store. Quickly realizing that this is no longer worth it and probably never will be, I ditched my basket and headed out the door. I was on my way to Whole Foods when I noticed the Food Emporium across the street. No line out the door, no signs screaming "ORGANIC OR GET OUT"... This was what I needed.
Turns out, the Food Emporium had exactly what I wanted. I got (listen to this) "Whole Grain WHITE Bread".... They made white bread healthy... awesome. I also picked up some fruit and vegetables, got some iced tea mix (diet, as I don't drink "regular" soda/drinks and am trying to cut back on diet soda in general), "Light" Tostitos, with 1/3 calories, Febreeze (I ran out and you'd be surprised what you can use this crap for), and some other stuff. The best part about the trip was that I felt like I was in a real grocery store. Most places in the city feel like an oversized corner store or are "ORGANIC OR GET OUT" establishments, which are too annoying sometimes.
So if any of you are looking for a supermarket experience that you remember before moving to the city (most of you have all lived in some suburb somewhere), I recommend Food Emporium. Name sounds a little ghetto, but I was pleasantly surprised. I've yet to figure out why stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods do so well in this city when you literally have to cook/prepare (almost) everything you get from these places and NONE OF US has a normal kitchen for this preparation... I just don't get it.
The first initial entrance into this place leads you to several conclusions: 1) It's crowded... and not that typical "oh everything in New York is crowded but we all just deal with it" type of crowded... This place is Tokyo-subway type of crowded. 2) It's small, despite also being crowded. I wrestled a basket thing away from the pile in the front and set out, not really knowing what I wanted, but thinking along the lines of "light bread, vegetables for a salad, fruit to bring to work, soy-based snacks, etc". One thing to note about Trader Joe's (unless there's a secret compartment): their produce line-up flat out SUCKS. The whole point of trying this place out was in hopes of finding better produce than Whole Foods, which has great produce, I'm sure, in any other store BUT the one on 14th. So after coming to the conclusion that I'd need to go elsewhere for produce, I decided to try and get some bread. Easier said than done. Apparently, in order for bread to be "organic", the word "light" cannot appear on the packaging, for this implies something less than organic. I don't really give a rat's ass about organic bread, but I do want something that has less than 400 calories a slice, which this crap didn't.
I proceeded to pick out some other things: organic tostito's, organic pretzels, organic something else.... Then I started to notice the people. Many people just standing around, seemingly in a line, but in places where no line should be. The checkout is at the front of the store and these people were seemingly lined up near the rear of the store.... What's going on here? Yeah, that's right, that's the line for the checkout. After further inspection, I realized that it stretched all the way around to form a complete square in the store. Quickly realizing that this is no longer worth it and probably never will be, I ditched my basket and headed out the door. I was on my way to Whole Foods when I noticed the Food Emporium across the street. No line out the door, no signs screaming "ORGANIC OR GET OUT"... This was what I needed.
Turns out, the Food Emporium had exactly what I wanted. I got (listen to this) "Whole Grain WHITE Bread".... They made white bread healthy... awesome. I also picked up some fruit and vegetables, got some iced tea mix (diet, as I don't drink "regular" soda/drinks and am trying to cut back on diet soda in general), "Light" Tostitos, with 1/3 calories, Febreeze (I ran out and you'd be surprised what you can use this crap for), and some other stuff. The best part about the trip was that I felt like I was in a real grocery store. Most places in the city feel like an oversized corner store or are "ORGANIC OR GET OUT" establishments, which are too annoying sometimes.
So if any of you are looking for a supermarket experience that you remember before moving to the city (most of you have all lived in some suburb somewhere), I recommend Food Emporium. Name sounds a little ghetto, but I was pleasantly surprised. I've yet to figure out why stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods do so well in this city when you literally have to cook/prepare (almost) everything you get from these places and NONE OF US has a normal kitchen for this preparation... I just don't get it.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Things You Forget
I headed out Tuesday at around 5:30 from my office. My thoughts ranged from "Should I go to the gym?" to "Man, I'm hungry" to "Maybe my apartment will have finally collapsed and I'll be able to move".... Not once was I thinking "Did I leave anything at the office?"
The subway ride was relatively uneventful, and as I'd had quite the day from hell already, my main focus was just getting home and trying to forget about the day. As I was walking from the hole in the ground toward my apartment, I saw some guy take his keys out, so that he'd be READY TO GO once he got to his apartment. My initial thought was "Are you afraid someone is going to attack you?". Then I thought "I hope I put my keys in my bag/pocket/shoe/anywhere accessible now and didn't leave them in the office." After searching my bag/pocket/shoe/you get the idea, I realized I'd left my keys ON MY DESK in MIDTOWN. The subway ride is only about 35 minutes, but after a bad day, it's the last thing I want to do. I quickly try to think of anyone who's still at work who lives near me: not a soul.
Back down into the hole in the ground, headed toward Manhattan when the rest of the world is headed out. "At least I'll get a seat", I thought to myself, somewhat sarcastic, but somewhat hopeful. (Note to all reverse commuters: You're insane.) For every train heading into Manhattan, about 5 are headed out, at this time of day. So, sure as f*ck, I didn't get a seat. SON OF A BITCH. Now I'm trying to think of a dinner situation as I won't get back home until well after 8. I call a few friends, none of them are answering or available (the F goes above ground for a few stops).
I get to the office, grab my keys, and again, head back out. Now I look like one of those people who works late everyday and does so just to get on a less crowded train. Mind you, it's 7:30 and I should have been home by now, probably already watching TV or playing guitar or doing something to make this day go away. NO, I'm getting on another F train. I finally got home around 8:15 after picking dinner at some local "Italian" restaurant.
Now, without fail, I put my keys in my briefcase, EVERY MORNING, after leaving my building so as not to recreate this awful evening. On another funnier, universe-getting-me-back note, I left my iPod earbuds in the office yesterday and was music-less for about 14 hours.
The subway ride was relatively uneventful, and as I'd had quite the day from hell already, my main focus was just getting home and trying to forget about the day. As I was walking from the hole in the ground toward my apartment, I saw some guy take his keys out, so that he'd be READY TO GO once he got to his apartment. My initial thought was "Are you afraid someone is going to attack you?". Then I thought "I hope I put my keys in my bag/pocket/shoe/anywhere accessible now and didn't leave them in the office." After searching my bag/pocket/shoe/you get the idea, I realized I'd left my keys ON MY DESK in MIDTOWN. The subway ride is only about 35 minutes, but after a bad day, it's the last thing I want to do. I quickly try to think of anyone who's still at work who lives near me: not a soul.
Back down into the hole in the ground, headed toward Manhattan when the rest of the world is headed out. "At least I'll get a seat", I thought to myself, somewhat sarcastic, but somewhat hopeful. (Note to all reverse commuters: You're insane.) For every train heading into Manhattan, about 5 are headed out, at this time of day. So, sure as f*ck, I didn't get a seat. SON OF A BITCH. Now I'm trying to think of a dinner situation as I won't get back home until well after 8. I call a few friends, none of them are answering or available (the F goes above ground for a few stops).
I get to the office, grab my keys, and again, head back out. Now I look like one of those people who works late everyday and does so just to get on a less crowded train. Mind you, it's 7:30 and I should have been home by now, probably already watching TV or playing guitar or doing something to make this day go away. NO, I'm getting on another F train. I finally got home around 8:15 after picking dinner at some local "Italian" restaurant.
Now, without fail, I put my keys in my briefcase, EVERY MORNING, after leaving my building so as not to recreate this awful evening. On another funnier, universe-getting-me-back note, I left my iPod earbuds in the office yesterday and was music-less for about 14 hours.
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