A Titanic Miss

I somehow missed the most important celebrity to come into the Crew. Kate Winslet was in the store this morning, and I didn't even know it. She was apparently at the register two down from the one I was ringing people on but I had no clue! For this I blame my crew-workers for not making a big enough deal about it. How could I have not known?! She's definitely the one celebrity I'd really like to meet/see.

In other celebrity sighting news, after missing Julia Stiles when she came into the Crew I happened to pass by her on 17th street as I was walking to work from my lunch break last week. Maybe Kate Winslet's telling everyone she walked by me as she was shopping at J. Crew.

Subway Stairs

Just when I start thinking that I should really do something in the form of exercise (I haven't been running for over a month!) I have a day like today.

I had to make two deliveries for the Tribeca Film Institute (TFI to those in the know) today, one on the Upper East Side and the other in Brooklyn. I always enjoy making my around the city and going to places I don't normally go. But to do so requires lots of subway riding, and therefore lots of stairs. First was the Canal Street stop for the 6 train, which was this labyrinthine maze that took me up and down two different sets of stairs. (Just a quick note to those who haven't been in the city: not all subway platforms are quit so complicated; I had just chosen the wrong entrance. It's usually just down the steps and you're there).

But then I had to walk four avenues to my first delivery, then back those same four avenues, down the subway steps, a transfer at Union Square--which required more steps, to Bedford Ave in Brooklyn, where I walked more steps out of the subway.

I don't want to go into too much detail about all the stairs I climbed today (I fear I've already done it) and bore my few readers, but let me just say that it was a lot of stairs. The city is my own personal gym. Rent is like my monthly membership fee. If that's the case, I should be getting a lot more bang for my buck.

ATuesday List for Pambelina

5 Things I Love (Thanks to Pammy!)
(in random order)

1. Hairspray
2. Arrested Development
3. Penelope
4. Twilight/My Antonia
5. Dutch

Do you want some rain with that rain?

Hanna has hit New York. It was all anybody could talk abut yesterday and all morning today. "Did you hear it's gonna rain like crazy tomorrow?" "Yeah, good thing I got an umbrella." So maybe it wasn't all we talked about, but it was definitely a part of a lot of conversations. I planned ahead this morning, not bothering to condition my hair or do too much with it because the humidity and rain would just end up ruining it.

The calm before the storm was actually worse than the actual rain. Do you know how humid and muggy it was this morning? It was actually hard to breath. And the subway platform? A literal sauna. My clothes were moist and soggy before even doing anything. After being here a year, my body still has not adjusted to the humidity.

I was luckily at work and indoors when it really started coming down. It was crazy and intense and deserving of the word torrential! It was fun to watch all the people on fifth avenue walking by, some with umbrellas and the unfortunate few who did not. But after awhile the streets became dead and traffic lessened and the tourist buses that are usually full of people taking pictures was left with the one poor couple in ponchos who had decided they were still going to get their money's worth.

And rain in New York in summer is not like rain I've experienced anywhere else. It's like taking a hot shower--but not in a refreshing way. It's utterly awful and makes the city this huge wet, soggy mess. All the subways are puddly and dripping and it's a feat of cat-like abilities to make your way through it all.

It was still raining when I left the Crew, and even though I had prepared ahead by bringing an umbrella, I did not wear my rain boots. So even though my shoes and socks, and therefore feet, were wet, my hair stayed perfectly perfect with my handy-dandy, brand-new bubble umbrella. Money well-spent....and gifted.

Your shirt or your face

I come across some interesting people in my work at the Crew; it's definitely a much different breed than the people I used to help while working at Wal-mart. Today I was helping a lady who wanted to make a return because she decided she wanted to get more botox instead. I don't know what was more surprising--that she was so open with her means of looking younger or that our clothes are priced high enough that returning them gives someone enough dough to make their face expressionless.

I think it's the latter.

Chicago

Last night I got to see my sixth Broadway musical since moving to the city. Stefanie got free tickets from her work; she couldn't go because of a class, and since she knew how much I've been wanting to see it she gave her ticket to me! I went with her cousin who's in town for some auditions.


Some elements I found better suited for the medium of film, but it was still a great, razzle-dazzle of a good time! Did you know that Tom Wopat, from The Dukes of Hazard (I don't know if he was Bo or Luke--I am not a fan of the show) plays Billy Flynn?! And he's good. And man, can those actors sing, dance, strut their stuff, and wear the tiniest little outfits! Kudos to them for doing something I can clearly not do.

I Wanna Wake-up in a City That Never Sleeps...

It's really been a whole year. It was Labor Day 2007 that I arrived in New York City with a truck full of my stuff and big dreams for my future. Man, was I excited, nervous, scared, enthused, shocked, unsure, and totally ready for my New York experience. I'll never forget my first day in the city and how new and different everything felt. I remember being totally lost and confused when I was above ground, and not much better when I was below on the subway. I wondered if I would ever get used to my new home. And now, when I walk the streets and ride the subway, I'm always amazed at how much has changed in a year. I ride the subway like a pro, I understand the streets and can figure out which way I'm pointed when I get out of the subway (well, usually; there are still some stops that I get totally confused at. Just look for the Empire State Building and from there I can figure out which way I'm walking). The city just feels so different now than it did a year ago; I actually feel comfortable in it. And if someone asks me for directions, I can usually send them in the right direction.

Tonight the city must've known it was our anniversary and decided to get me something. I arrived at Penn Station a little late and more than ready to just get home. I was able to get right onto a 3 train (with just a little bit of running up the stairs) and then got onto a waiting 1 train at 96th street. This almost never happens, as either the 1 train is just pulling away or I have to wait a really long time for it. And it was after 11:30, when the trains are usually running a lot less frequently. So thanks for my present, New York.

"I wanna be a part of it, New York. And find I'm King of the Hill, Top of the Heap.....These little town blues are melting away..... I'm gonna make a brand new start of it, in Ol' New York! If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere! It's up to you New York! New Yoooooork!"