Normally, on days when I don't have to be at Rikers for 9am Calendar Call, I wake up at 5.30am and if I push myself, I can make the 6.27 Metro-North train and get to the office about a quarter to 9. I make sure I sit as though I'm moving backwards on the train, on the east-facing side so as to catch the sunrise. On Rikers days, I get up an hour ( Read more... )

A dear family friend called last night and remarked, during our wide-ranging conversation, that she hadn't heard me sound this happy in a very long time. We both agreed that neither of us could remember when. We discussed both our families--she showed me pictures of their son who is right now in the midst of touring (and applying to) colleges--and ( Read more... )

Today, I pick up the keys to the new apartment ( Read more... )

So stifling last night that not being able to find relief had me up at 5am eager to get to the office where Central AC offers at least temporary solace ( Read more... )

Two nights ago, Monday, with The Girl in Bedstuy, the fireworks and gunshots were indistinguishable.

Walked into an interview today, expecting to talk about a job and realized halfway through the afternoon that we were talking about an internship. A paid internship, but an internship. I know without a doubt that this is the pride talking here, but I'm practically kicking 30's door down and I didn't go to the schools I went to and for as long as I ( Read more... )

This past Saturday, a good friend from college celebrated her birthday in a penthouse (belonging to her cousin's boyfriend). In attendance were a bevy of PhD candidates and graduate students from various disciplines, an art historian who provided me with the best and most comfortable conversation of the evening, an ascendant young black writer, ( Read more... )

-- City of Water - David Grann, The New Yorker, Sept. 1, 2003 ( Read more... )

Miracle of miracles, the A train was nearly empty when I hopped it this morning for an early commute. Virtuous patience at work, I'd actually had my eye on the C train, as that's provided both a seat and a longer opportunity to indulge in pleasure-reading. But this A train rolled up after the previous one and looked like New York City had been ( Read more... )

This afternoon, it began to snow ( Read more... )