See & Be Seen

I feel like there's more of an element of "see and be seen" in NYC -- at least more than there was in ATL. When you go out, you get dressed in some definitive way, and then you enter into this big thing that's going on outside. Everyone on the street is dressed to impress. A variety of styles and types abound, and they're all together out on the streets. It's clear that people are choosing different audiences to "impress," or that they would prefer to be seen by, but no one really seems to just roll out of bed and walk outside.  It makes everything more visually stimulating, which pairs well with the architecture. It also lends a feeling of greater sophistication somehow.

Or maybe it isn't so much the aspect of impressing others as it is expressing yourself. Not sure which is more true, or even if you can uncouple the two.

Either way, its fun. Being out on the street amongst all those people has a very inclusive feeling to it, as opposed to an exclusive one or judgmental one. I somehow always feel like I'm a part of whatever is going on, an element in the theater of the street, instead of feeling drowned out or lost in the noise. It's a very strange juxtaposition, considering just how dense this place is, and just how many people there are here, and how easily it seems you could feel insignificant amongst so much... stuff. Glitz, glam, dirt, work, speed, mania, and chaos.

Maybe that's my favorite part. All the organized chaos. It's like ADD heaven! Clare was saying that she thinks new-comers get more tired more easily, partly because of the all the walking, but also just because your brain has to kick it up a few notches to keep up with everything. To choreograph your walk down the street your brain suddenly utilizes all your peripheral vision and calculates the speeds and future positions of all the people going in different directions around you, in the hopes that you can walk smoothly down the sidewalk and not run into anyone. And let me just say, it takes some getting used to. I still stutter-step a few times a day, just trying to get around on the sidewalk.

Ahhh. So I'm still enjoying myself here. Going to look at an room in an apartment this weekend. The current residents are basically holding auditions for their vacated room. 28 male, 29 female, both professionals. One does educational non-profit and the other does visual marketing. It's the right price, and the right location (walking distance to work and in a fun part of town!), so I'm hoping to impress them. That would be a great next step for me, having a solid place to live on the island.

Ok, well I'm out for now. Much love to all. Keep your hearts and bodies warm.

Until next time,
K3