[Today's posting is best read with the accompaniment of the incomparable
Ms Billy Holiday. Please press Play and then read on :) ]
.
I’m staying in today to do some writing.
With some delightful music in the background.
But here are some pictures that I took yesterday while
walking in Central Park.
It’s snowing outside and it just feels right – there’s nothing quite like
nestling a steaming cup of tea on a day like this.
I woke up today greeted by a message that someone was
thinking of me.
I replied by saying that as wonderful as New York is, it didn’t seem
as fabulous now that it was missing something.
I kind of hate that feeling – how everything is so relative.
.
The first time I came to New York, I was in love, and it kind of
overshadowed the city. I don’t blame anyone, of course,
I am just saying, that your heart (head?) does funny things to you
when you are struck.
It’s like it really does blind you – it chews on your synapses and spits
them out for sport. So much so that it can even render a great city like NY
somewhat flavourless.
That was my first.
The second time, the city hit me hard. It was like The Big Apple Cupid shot
10,000 arrows at me, and all I could think was that I had seriously taken
it for granted. I know everyone sings the song ‘The Empire State’ to me now,
but I don’t think a city anthem has ever been truer – the streets do really make
you feel brand new. Little light bulbs just continued flashing every hour that I
was here. If I was completely frank I wanted to traipse around on my own
on most days, I do actually prefer walking on my own in cities when it comes
to getting inspired (which may explain why sometimes I’d venture off on my own,
very sorry if I was a wee bit dishonest road trip buddies)
In the end, I extended the stay and then didn’t want to go home at all! I almost
didn’t – the pull was that strong.
Which leads me to this current stay, of course.
I am more than ready to really breathe it in this time – to know the streets like the
back of my hand, to really look, and to truly listen.
I spent a while staring at this man above in the park, he seemed sad.
He seemed to be alone in his deep thoughts. When he realised I had taken a picture,
he looked at me for a few seconds, and then continued just standing there.
I think he later posed for me – but not in a purposeful way.
Whatever it was, I felt a little connection to him as he looked into the vast whiteness
and the city’s evening lights beyond.
I think we’ve all felt like that before. The thing about New Yorkers is – they are
a whole lot more expressive and vocal about their feelings.
I love that side of them.
So perhaps I will take on the New Yorker persona while I am here -
my heart is out on my sleeve, and I intend to write that way.
Probably best to have a mixture of feelings – a little good, a little bad,
a little cold, a little warm, and a dozen other ones in between.
I spend evenings chatting with my dear friend Munkit now – we have
loads to talk about and reflect upon.
As the snow melts, and I do hope it does soon, I will try to not be slightly
melancholic
(oh don’t worry, just slightly!)
slightly daydreamy
that someone is not
here with me right now.
I remind myself that this NYC stay is for me, and me alone.
And that no one, no one … will take that away from me!
I am not blind this time – my eyes are wide open.
.
.
But you know what …
it’s still nice to wake up to the thought that someone is thinking
of you too.
Life’s just that little bit sweeter when you are aware of the fact.
Perhaps sometimes that’s all you need, isn’t it?
xo
