Another week = another update! I keep meaning to update sometime during the week so my blogs aren’t so unbelievably long, but the week goes by quickly, and here it is, Friday again!
I suppose I should start with last weekend then. On Sunday, Fallon, Kelly, Nick, Jess, and I made a trip down to Coney Island for the day since it was the last day of the season that the Cyclone rollercoaster was running. Prices are high at Coney, even higher than I expected. It even costs a quarter to use the bathrooms--it’s like Urinetown (the musical)…or Europe! We rode the “Wonder Wheel” and the Cyclone once each for a grand total of $14, but I don’t regret it because it was a good time! Both rides are fun but extremely uh…historical. Some would use words such as old, rickety, dangerous, but I choose to think of it as charming—always best to look on the bright side! Plus, there’s a sign next to the Wonder Wheel saying there has never been an accident in its 89 years of existence. I don’t remember seeing a sign like that next to the Cyclone though, which is just about as old…hmmmm…good thing I've gotten over my fear of rollercoasters!
the five of us about to take the subway to Coney
I wasn't kidding... and they were pretty uncleanly for costing a quarter, too
The rest of the day we spent on the beach and the boardwalk in the absolutely beautiful weather. I got to see the Atlantic Ocean in all its glory for the first time since I was 10, so yay for that! We also ate authentic Coney Island foods such as Nathan’s hot dogs and funnel cakes. I normally despise hot dogs, but I made an exception for Coney, and I wasn’t disappointed. I was pretty happy to satisfy the funnel cake craving I’ve had for a year or two now. The vendors dumped about half of pound of powdered sugar on top of the one I shared with Kelly, and it was a breezy day, so by the time we finished eating, we were covered in sugar, but it was delicious.
view of Coney from the Wonder Wheel
one of many pictures Nick took of us jumping on the beach
Also, if you’ve ever wondered what the worst job in America is, you can stop wondering because I’ve found it. We came across a game called “Shoot the Freak,” which is really just a chance to use paint-ball guns to shoot at a kid who runs around in a black hoodie in 80 degree weather. That kid better get paid more than minimum wage…
historically charming? maybe not so much in this case...
My internships have been showing some improvement, so I think I’m sticking with them. I had my first “press day” with UDP last weekend and even though it included folding endless stacks of papers, I also got to meet a lot of people within the presse. We’ll see how many of their names I can remember tomorrow. I do have to say, Brooklyn is certainly a different world than Manhattan, but that’s one of this city’s charms! Each area has its own “feel”—styles, quirks, people, etc.
a canal I walk by to and from work in Brooklyn
I’ve started doing a bit of editing and review work for UDP too along with my more typical office and organizational duties. I’m still getting plenty of chances to work on my upper body strength though—don’t worry! Just the other day I did inventory for one of the presses, which meant I got to carry very heavy boxes of books up and down ladders all afternoon. I feared for my safety more in those moments than I ever have while walking in the streets of the city, but I lived to tell the tale, and my boss was very appreciative of my efforts. Yay?
Since some of you have said how much you love my literary facts, here’s another one for you! I got the wonderful chance to meet John Ashbery (previously mentioned famous poet) at a book party Wednesday. The book that was being published and celebrated, Faster than Birds Can Fly, costs $2000 (within the college student's budget, no?), so I opted for another book of John Ashbery poetry, and he kindly signed and inscribed the book for me. It was pretty loud in the gallery and he seemed a bit hard of hearing perhaps, so I didn’t get the chance to ask him for poetic words of wisdom, but it was still an honor. The title of this blog is from the new book. Anyone who includes “sun guts” in a poem automatically scores some major points, in my opinion. I know you’re all dying to know what all is involved with a NYC book party. Well you know, the usual: strobe lights, techno music, hard drugs and lots of alcohol. Just kidding…except for the alcohol, but it’s just champagne and wine.
I have discovered a new love in NY: thrift store shopping! Let’s just say that if my feet were one size smaller, I could have bought a pair of Prada shoes for $20. Normally, I don’t care about designer labels one bit, but I kind of want a pair just to say I have some (and I know you’ll appreciate that especially, Raquel).
Another new love in the city: La Bergamote Café. There are many great eating places in NY, but this is quickly becoming a favorite among favorites for me. It’s just nine or so blocks from our housing, and one of my bosses takes me there for breakfast once in a while. It’s an authentic Parisian café and they have the most delicious pastries. Ever. Think of the best croissant or danish you’ve had; now multiply that by a million and add a little bit of heaven, and you might get an idea of what I’m talking about.
Some of us went to Comedy Cellar again last night, which was wonderful because I had a pretty rough day and I was in need of some laughs. My favorite was a comic who’s been on Flight of the Concords—James Smith, I think? Dry humor is the best. Dave Artell also fought off a couple of pretty intense hecklers, so that was entertaining, though slightly uncomfortable, to watch.
A night out on the town: at "La Esquina," a little Mexican restaurant in Soho
Tomorrow night, I’m going to see a screening of "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men," and John Krasinski (Jim from the Office) will be there in person introducing the film and doing a short Q&A session. Can’t wait! Did I mention I kind of like this city a little bit?
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