Good morning, Friday. It's another hottie in the city today and I'm basically wearing next to nothin' and enjoying the ease of throwing on a cotton dress and not having to think too much. But since being a vapid Summer bunny is not really my thing, I HAVE been thinking since last night that I have not written a love letter to my city/plasma/life force New York in a while. Admittedly, this city gives me a proper ass kicking most days, but it also gives me so much more. Oh, New York, I've been thinkin' of you.
Last night after work, I was a bit early to meet a friend on the West side so decided to take a walk. My office is right across the street from Chelsea Market, so off I went to explore a few things - The Vince sample sale (meh), which then led to checking out the new little food court in said market that has a taco place, a chicken place, and some other lovely stuff. I got myself an amazing watermelon jalapeno slushie thing from Hybird which was exactly what I needed to keep chugging. And since I had even more time, I checked out the awesome kitchen store in there that's always a joy to explore (any store that sells ramekins of all sizes is ok in my book), and then a slow meander through the book shop by the 10th Avenue entrance. I paged through cookbooks, checked out the new book on Coco Chanel, and pondered if it was time for me to get back into reading fiction. After a good 20 mins in the market, I walked up 10th Avenue and found myself in the Black Comme Des Garcons concept store where I got to try on those Converse I just blogged about (with the dress I was wearing, they looked nuts so no sale was made), tried on some perfume, admired some incredible poly blend full skirts that I fantasized about wearing with a white shirt, and then met a pal for a drink at the Park right across the street. After that we went to a party at a photo studio (full of sweaty hipsters dancing to Soul to Soul, tots weird) where I adored the style of the a with the enormous afro in DVF, and the two Asian kids in crazy straw hats and matching jumpers pogoing up and down for no apparent reason and making me feel like I was in Area back in the heady days of NY in the 80s. Oh, and as far as ping ping goes- you may not know this, but I am a straight up ping pong pimp, so should you see me near a table, get ready to throw down. My serve is vicious and incredibly fast.
After we had enough sweat and beer, we went to Izakaya Ten for a fantastic Japanese meal- amazing salad with fresh yuzu dressing, spicy and salty shrimp with cod roe, and a million other delicious things, all packed into a tiny little spot you could literally pass by at any point on the street and not even really notice it. Now for those reading that are New Yorkers, you're kinda like, "big whoop, Rosenberg. I do that kinda stuff every night..." But for those of you out-of-towners, you know how tough it is to be able to walk anywhere and find all of this goodness, and how anywhere but New York and possibly cities like London or Paris or European capitals afford the opportunity to be constantly discovering, all because you are early to meet a friend for dinner. And all of this was in an 8 block radius. And that's why New York constantly calls my name, and why I feel so very lucky to once again call it home- there's so much to do and see, whether you are alone or with a pal or a love or a puppy. Add the fact that people are rocking major looks now that it's summertime and there's fruity drinks back on menus all over town and WOW- NEW YORK IS SO FUCKING AWESOME RIGHT NOW.
I can't say what will happen when I fight my way through the streets during lunch today or if someone on the subway on my commute home will do something offensive or stinky, but what I can say is that all the hemming, hawing, cursing, and perspiring is worth so much to me. And though I think back to Miami and the cost of living and the relative ease of living there, and it means not a thing to me, at least not this very second. Because, right here, right now, I can't think of another place in the universe that makes me feel as stimulated, satisfied, and floored on the regs like NYC. Bonus that I now get to come home to Brooklyn and experience a parallel universe where the oxygen from the trees feeds me in a whole other way. And the joy of just walking little Khan down the street while holding hands with mon amour is often all I need. I have to remind myself why the steep rent and cost of living may be painful, but really worth it. New York, you continue to inspire me and for that, I am forever grateful to your special brand of awesome. I'm so looking forward to a city summer weekend, where the sense of peace and quiet is abundant as many others head out East or upstate- I'm stickin' around to soak up some more of that special sauce. You're still the love of my life and always will be- it's just we're getting older together and we've got a few more aches and pains. And baby, I haven't told you I love you lately, but I always will, no matter what you do to me. I just love you to bits and bits and can't wait to see what you have in store for me this weekend... cause that's what's up in my city today. My heart's got mad love for my city. I hope you have a lovely weekend and maybe I'll see you around the way. La la love you. XO
(PS that photo above is by Author Elgort for Vogue...he gets what I'm feeling, of this I'm sure...love him too).