Back in New York City...
A month ago, saracura and I went to New York City - it was my first time in the Big Apple and I have to be honest with all of you: I think I fell in love with the city...
My first reaction was awe…The film and history geek in me was totally gawking over all the landmarks and locations (“OMG! This is where they filmed the chase scene in ‘The French Connection’! OMG! This is the spot where they filmed ‘Annie Hall’)...Times Square was overwhelming - I had Sarah hold my arm while my jaw dropped; I remember saying “I’m so embarrassed - I feel like a goddamn country mouse...” Overall, I got intoxicated by the energy of the city and I think I could definitely live there for a few years, go to school and find work...
Which is the plan, after all - My main reason for going to NYC was to drop off my portfolio in person at NYU - Steinhardt and hopefully get a chance to talk with Dr. Ron Sardoff, the director of the Composition for Film and Media Master’s Program...which I did, on the last day of my visit...He was nice though not overly friendly, since it was sort of a non-committal visit…However, after seeing the place, I will totally fall all over myself if I make it in...I also got a chance to meet with my former electronic music prof at the U, Doug Geers, at Tom’s Diner (cue drum machine here) for a really inspiring chat...
Needless to say, the four days Sarah and I spent there were great...We stayed with an amazingly generous couple who let us stay in their apartment in Harlem…From Harlem, we figured out our way through the metro system - Now I totally understand why most folks don’t own a car in NYC: you really don’t need one...
We pretty much avoided any touristy type activities...We mainly did our errands and then explored the city - traveled around the East Village for books and music, walked all down Broadway, wandered through Greenwich village...It was a great way to experience the city, though our feet were absolutely sore by the fourth day...
We did take in an off-Broadway show: Fela, a musical production about the life of afropop pioneer and political activist Fela Kuti - if you get a chance, SEE THIS SHOW! It was phenomenal...great musicians, dancers and the guy who performed as Fela got to the essence of his voice and spirit (For more info on Fela, the artist and the man: Go to this Last.fm link...)
Yes, I’ve got it bad for the city - I now want to move there and see what I can do...Color me looking toward the future...
After NYC, we stayed with doctorwannabe and her man for a couple days in Philadelphia and got our touristy ya-yas out - Historic tour guide, Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks...All in all, a pretty amazing adventure...
And then we returned for two weeks of frantic activity, renovating the store...In the end, it was all totally worth it...
My first reaction was awe…The film and history geek in me was totally gawking over all the landmarks and locations (“OMG! This is where they filmed the chase scene in ‘The French Connection’! OMG! This is the spot where they filmed ‘Annie Hall’)...Times Square was overwhelming - I had Sarah hold my arm while my jaw dropped; I remember saying “I’m so embarrassed - I feel like a goddamn country mouse...” Overall, I got intoxicated by the energy of the city and I think I could definitely live there for a few years, go to school and find work...
Which is the plan, after all - My main reason for going to NYC was to drop off my portfolio in person at NYU - Steinhardt and hopefully get a chance to talk with Dr. Ron Sardoff, the director of the Composition for Film and Media Master’s Program...which I did, on the last day of my visit...He was nice though not overly friendly, since it was sort of a non-committal visit…However, after seeing the place, I will totally fall all over myself if I make it in...I also got a chance to meet with my former electronic music prof at the U, Doug Geers, at Tom’s Diner (cue drum machine here) for a really inspiring chat...
Needless to say, the four days Sarah and I spent there were great...We stayed with an amazingly generous couple who let us stay in their apartment in Harlem…From Harlem, we figured out our way through the metro system - Now I totally understand why most folks don’t own a car in NYC: you really don’t need one...
We pretty much avoided any touristy type activities...We mainly did our errands and then explored the city - traveled around the East Village for books and music, walked all down Broadway, wandered through Greenwich village...It was a great way to experience the city, though our feet were absolutely sore by the fourth day...
We did take in an off-Broadway show: Fela, a musical production about the life of afropop pioneer and political activist Fela Kuti - if you get a chance, SEE THIS SHOW! It was phenomenal...great musicians, dancers and the guy who performed as Fela got to the essence of his voice and spirit (For more info on Fela, the artist and the man: Go to this Last.fm link...)
Yes, I’ve got it bad for the city - I now want to move there and see what I can do...Color me looking toward the future...
After NYC, we stayed with doctorwannabe and her man for a couple days in Philadelphia and got our touristy ya-yas out - Historic tour guide, Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks...All in all, a pretty amazing adventure...
And then we returned for two weeks of frantic activity, renovating the store...In the end, it was all totally worth it...