listen missy: Week 1 (er, Day 4) Round-Up

April 08, 2005

Week 1 (er, Day 4) Round-Up

I never did do that Ode to DC like I had envisioned. Ah well. In any case, I would like to provide my initial reactions to Life as a New Yorker, split out by category.

Neighborhood:
PROS: Everything I need is within about a 2-3 block radius. Well, except subways, but I'm used to that. Nice brownstones. It's pretty here!
CONS: Nothing thus far. But, I'm finding my sleep has been less than fulfilling. It's not noisier per se at night, just *different*.
Side comment: I keep hearing an ice cream truck.

Apartment:
PROS: It's *much* bigger than my old place, and considerably bigger than I recalled from my initial walk-through. Now that my furniture is in place, I realize I've still got some room to spare. And it's all-around super nice, with a skylight. Considering what I am paying for these digs it had better be nicer.
CONS: 4th-floor walk-up. Lack of closet space. Sloping floors (I find myself rolling backwards away from my desk from time to time, which is kind of funny now but which is sure to become annoying in the near future until I buy a rug for under the chair). The lack of a view. I was spoiled in DC, and my view here is something approaching Rear Window. But if it's views I want, all I need to do is walk about 6 blocks to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

Food:
PROS: I cannot yet comment on this, but living near Court and Smith Streets has its advantages; plus the availability of delivery options is, in a word, awesome.
CONS: Whole Foods is all the way in Manhattan. But there's plenty of fresh produce and other things in my area. I can't complain.

Dance:
PROS: I have yet to make it to a class--hopefully that will change come tomorrow, but the possibilities are virtually endless. Seriously: all styles, all techniques, all great teachers..it's all here. UPDATE: How could I forgot to mention live musicians as the accompaniment?
CONS: I miss Helanius.

Film:
PROS: Too many to mention, but I would like to brag for a minute that knowing a film critic--and a very generous one at that--is pretty neat. I've been invited as a +1 to a screening of Wong Kar Wai's 2046 next week.
CONS: None, save for feeling overwhelmed. Not only do films open here first, but the retrospectives and unusual screenings are pretty much constant.

Subway:
PROS: Express trains. Being able to drink from a bottle of water without fear of getting arrested. And so far, not having to wait very long for trains. Also, I live near multiple lines.
CONS: The lack of signs informing you when the next train will be arriving, and a lack of climate control. (Good job, DC.) Rats scurrying around the trackbeds, which are gross.
Side comment: Last night after leaving a screening of and Q&A for the 80's film Testament (see unusual screenings mention above) near Lincoln Center, Josh pointed out a Caution sign for the presence of rat poison. In case anyone is thinking of licking the rails or some other part of the subway system, DON'T DO IT!

DMV:
PROS: A ten-minute-shorter exerience compared with the District of Columbia DMV. Also, it's next door to Target.
CONS: Lack of payoff at the end of it all. I have a temporary paper license until the official one appears in the mail in two weeks (with undoubtedly the world's most unflattering photo--I wasn't ready! And it was windy outside that day!)

Self:
PROS: I am assimilating as well as can be expected, and I've developed a knack for pretending that I know where I'm going when I get out of the subway, even when I have to backtrack or walk in circles (like I did when I went to the movies today at BAM--and it was RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. What am I, blind?)
CONS: Hearing New York accents all around makes me feel like an intruder. I know that's silly since most people I know here don't have them. I'll feel better when my new license gets here. Also, the water is doing funny things to my hair. I'm on effing dial-up right now, so that sucks, too.

Posted by Missy

Comments

Dang, I've been here four years, and I don't know any film critics. (Or professionals, at any rate.) 2046 is a pretty good pickup.

Welcome to NYC! :)

Posted by: Kevin at April 8, 2005 07:47 PM

Man am I jealous of that view of the city. Can you walk to that spot? That would be the icing on the cake.
Good for you.

Posted by: 5chw4r7z at April 8, 2005 08:31 PM

Yes, that's the southern end of the promenade, roughly 6 blocks away.

Posted by: Missy at April 8, 2005 08:43 PM

Where did you used to live in DC? By the picture it looks like U and 16th....My sister lives around there, it just looks kinda familiar is all.

Posted by: Meshbetty at April 9, 2005 12:02 AM

Good eye. I lived just north of that intersection at 16th & Florida.

Posted by: Missy at April 9, 2005 08:46 AM

I was right! Yeah, my sister lives right around there.... :o)

Posted by: Meshbetty at April 9, 2005 03:25 PM