Night Life

May 31. Today I worked from 12-8. After work I went back to Bryant Park. Took some photos and went to Bryant Park Grill. Got iced tea and caprese salad, I had been craving it all day. I was however disappointed by the iced tea. So I went back to old faithful. Pop. After dinner I walked over to Time Square. I finally saw the big attraction. Much larger than I had imagined. They either got rid of the fence that they used to have, or I missed it. Either way didn't get to see it. After taking some pictures outside I remembered that the Toys R Us had a Ferris Wheel inside. I of course wanted to ride on it, but unfortunately I was a few minutes to late and didn't get to go for a ride. Maybe I'll go back. I tried to find the Conde Nast building, it was on a top 10 architectural sites list. I couldn't find it. I even asked some officers for help. One had no idea what it was. And the other was like "it's around the corner." Um... right. Sir this is a fucking maze and it's around the corner a little more help would have been nice. The locals are better than the officers. But what local is in Time Square at 10 o'clock at night on a monday other than the people working. After that I came home to rest. I have tomorrow and the next day off. I am thinking of applying for some jobs. Booking a reservation for my next tea. Soaking up some rays while I finish my book. Going to Washington Square park. Going to Dylan's Candy Bar, I have a gift card thanks to a great friend. The Space Museum also sounds fun, but I need to find it first. Until Tomorrow. J. Z.

Bryant Park

Time Square

Odd Coincidence

May 30. Today I woke up early by choice, not common. I went to breakfast at this place called the Barking Dog. It was okay. I took a book as armor. But as I was leaving the cash only establishment they had a sign that said as seen in Sex and the City. It was a place where Aidan and Carrie go to breakfast. Looked kind of familiar. After breakfast I worked from 12-8. It seemed longer than usual. After work I walked over to meet a friend from high school for dinner. We went to a nice italian restaurant. Had a very strange waitress, should not work around people basically. Socially awkward is her full time job, so I'm not sure how she has enough time to be a waitress as well. Made it home about 11 and am getting ready for tomorrow. Another long day, but at time and a half should help ease the pain.

Sweet Rewards

May 29. Today I worked an opening shift and got off at 4. I went over to Magnolia Bakery. It was like a 30 minute wait. I know 30 minutes for a cupcake. I got 5, since I had to wait so long. So far I have only had one, but it was definitely worth it. I then went to Grand Central and got some pictures, and then got some pictures of the Chrysler Building. It was disgustingly hot today so I made it home around 7 and camped out in front of the air conditioner. I might try to make it to breakfast tomorrow before work, depending on when I wake up. We will see.

Grand Central

Chrysler Building

Oh MoMA

May 28. Today I woke up early, even though I tried to sleep in. I watched some television and then got ready for the day. I made my way to mid-town for the MoMA. My train stopped right under a building I had talked about in my contemporary architecture class. How fitting to bring what I learned into my real life, a rare occasion. Luckily that education is finally paying off. Once I got to the museum I wandered every floor. I swept through most of the museum, most of the exhibits did not interest me, but I still looked. I loved the Design Over Time exhibit. It has older inventions and new inventions and how they will or have been incorporated into our lives. The Picasso exhibit was rather dry, I enjoyed the one at the Met more, but not much more. I have always enjoyed photography but after today and the Guggenheim I have really started to appreciate it. I really enjoyed most of the pieces in that gallery. After that I saw a room where they had the dimensions of every wall and door painted on the wall. For some reason it made me realize my perspective and the grand scale of the space and me. I saw some of the generic favorites like Starry Night, it was much more vivid in person, but still is unimpressive to me. Checked out some Franz Kline, Clifford Still, Modrian, Kandinsky and Rothko. Some of my favorites. After that I went to the top of the museum for the performance art. Some of it I had seen before, others I had heard of and others were very new. Some were a little crazy for me. Like one was a naked woman standing on a wall with her arms out like a plane. Another man laying naked on a table with a skeleton on top of him. To be honest they just are using nudity as shock value as opposed to any artistic message. Then there was one naked guy and girl that were standing very close together in a doorway and viewers were to pass between them, it is very awkward. I did it and it was extremely awkward. It makes you feel very vulnerable, and some how out of place even though you are not the one that is naked. I can appreciate this piece. I also saw the piece that was used in Sex and the City series where Carrie and Charlotte see the girl sitting in the gallery. I took a picture even though it was forbidden. I do that a lot in museums though. I am such a rebel. I then made my way to the main attraction. The piece that has been all over the papers and web. A woman sits in a chair in the middle of a room for 70 some odd days. And everyday she sits across from a viewer that would like to stare her in the eyes for as long as the like. Emotions range from tears to exhaustion. I watched a few people do it. Interesting. Don't love it though. But still interesting. After that I went on over to Barney's to discover the Memorial Day Sale, and pre-sale for spring/summer collections. Boy am I in luck. Unfortunately a lot of what I wanted is gone, or the things I thought I would like I ended up not liking. So far I have yet to buy anything. ME. I have not bought anything and I am just dying to find something worth buying. I then got a calzone at a deli and some rice pudding. Not impressed with the food. But still okay. Came home and watched some more television before I went to Prince of Persia Sands of Time. It was good. A basic Disney movie. Not amazing, but I can imagine a sequel coming our way. Tomorrow I work and unfortunately it is supposed to be freakishly busy. Not looking forward to that. I might go back to Grand Central for some photos and then head down to Bryant Park and then to Time Square. Sounds like a good day. We will see what happens.

Set from the Sex and the City series

The famous stare down

The Toy Isle

May 27. Today I worked until noon. Had lunch and then went to Sex and the City 2. The theater was not very nice, I still have yet to be in a theater with good seats. The movie was good. To be honest it was exactly what is was expecting, but not at all what I had expected. If that makes any sense. The quotes were not as good as I am used to. The costumes were good, not as many repeat offenders as in the first, but I did see a repeat dress that I was very disappointed in. Patricia Field has a entire world of couture to use, and she re-used a dress from the series? Just didn't make sense. After the movie I came home and watched some television and tried to rest up. Tomorrow I want to go to the MoMA, Barney's, Grand Central and Prince of Persia. Maybe even Time Square. Today I got to finally talk to a dear friend. While discussing basically everything. We mentioned futures, careers and paths. While I told her about me possibly applying for a promotion at work and how a manager asked me what I would like to do and I responded with "not sure". The manager told me I should figure that out before I talk to the store manager. And in my mind that was the whole point of me talking to the store manager, I don't know of all of the options. So how am I to pick? My said friend has started a new job recently that she originally thought she would not like in the least, but today she said that she doesn't know if she likes it. But what she does know is that she likes the fact that she is doing something different. While I have ideas spewing out of mind, uncertainty still consumes me. I have a little more than a month left for sure. And while that seems like plenty of time, and a few months ago seemed like a year, I know need it to slow down so I can just figure everything out. Yet unfortunately that is not an option. So I will bite the bullet, suck it up and take the bull by the horns and handle this shit. Do everything I can to have the most options to select from and then go from there. In The September Issue Anna Wintour is asked what she thinks is her best quality. Her answer. Decisiveness. Clearly that is not mine. I am actually still deciding. When I was younger I actually remember being in the toy isles of Target being asked to pick a toy. Well I remember not being able to decide. I considered both toys very carefully. This contemplation took way too long according to my sister and mom. My mom started counting down. Well the pressure was on. I made a rash decision and went with a toy. Today I have no idea what the toy was, or what the competitor toy was. All I remember is the contemplation. This next big decision in my life is the toy isle all over again. I think. In reality the decision has so much build up that my actual choice may not matter at all. Hell I can change my mind. I can change my location. I can change anything I want to. All this build up, and I end up with a revelation. While I am fairly certain, knowing me, that this revelation will help me feel no less at ease, I can say that I at least realized it. And while decisiveness is not my greatest strength, I know I have a strength that will be far more useful in my near future. So until then let the uncertainty ride and the opportunities come. I am ready.

A Real Resturant

May 26. Yesterday I slept in after my long day, and watched some television. After that made it downtown for work. Had to work until 4 am. WAY late for me and most other non nocturnal animals. Today I woke up at 12 to a voicemail asking why I was not at work at 7am... um because I wasn't scheduled then, I have the day off and if I did work I got home around 5, which means I would have had about 45 minutes to sleep. They found out the problem. I was not supposed to work last night, and was supposed to work this morning and they apologized for the mix up. So I watched some television, tried to relax in this heat. Started my air conditioner for the first time. It makes a huge difference. I went to dinner with a friend from college tonight at a cool restaurant in Bryant Park. It was a great meal. I had a caprese esque salad and prosciutto and mellon. And we split a dessert. That was a strawberry short cake dish that was wonderful. Made it home and now need to rest up for an early day at work. Get off early so I can go to Sex and the City 2 tomorrow and might try to go to a Broadway show on Friday. Still lots of things I want to do in the city. But I have plenty of time left I guess.

Late Night

May 24. Today I woke up at around 9 due to the sun shining in on me. So I got up, and watched some television and then decided to go do some laundry. I finished my laundry and went past a Ray's Pizza and decided I had to eat there since it was referenced in Elf. I went to work at 7. Thought I would be leaving around 12... NOT. While at work I had deal with the usual crap of having to fix the same shit over and over again, and a customer cut in front of me for the shirt I was folding to look at it. I just have to say Asians are the WORST and most inconsiderate shoppers ever. Unless you know one they're lovely. But these bitches just fuck everything up, and don't even care. I'm sorry, but I do not come to your laundry mat or your nail salon and start trashing the place just cause I can. (I realize this is a racist generalization, but I am angry so please let it slide). I left a little after 3, and got home around 3:45. When I got home I was just getting ready, no music, walking in socks, and such. And the person below pounded on the ceiling. Uh seriously. I'm sorry. But it's not like I'm doing jumping-jacks. I was actually trying to be quite. For a city that never sleeps shouldn't one be prepared for such rambunctious action. Oh well we'll see if I get some angry letter tomorrow morning. Off to bed.

Something Relevant

May 23. Today I woke up early again for work. I got a donut and Dr. Pepper before work, since that was the best of my options. I worked in the back today. Which is something that I used to hate, but I have learned to re-appreciate working in the back. Today at work while damaging out some items I was told that I should apply for some of the openings at work. While it is something that I was aware of before I even came out here, I had kind of cast them off, but now I am reconsidering. While I still do not know what I should do about my current situation, I think I may pursue some options. I am still waiting on my internship, and while that used to be my deciding factor I am not so sure anymore. Today I saw the series finale of Sex and the City. I have always loved the episode but today the last words seemed to strike me in a different way.

Later that day I got to thinking about relationships.

There are those that open you up to something new and exotic,

those that are old and familiar,

those that bring up lots of questions,

those that bring you somewhere unexpected,

those that bring you far from where you started,

and those that bring you back.

But the most exciting,

challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself.

And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.

While I am not in a relationship, I considered this adventure of mine as a relationship with the city. It has brought me somewhere new and exotic, and has reminded me of the old and familiar, and brought up lots of questions. And the relationship with myself on this battle of should I stay or should I go, brings me to the last line. If I find a city that loves me as much as I love it, "well, that's just fabulous."

An Uneventful Day For A Big City Question

May 22. I worked from 7-4. The train unfortunately stopped short of my stop today for construction. So I had to shlep it an unknown number of blocks to work. Not fun. I met a few more co-workers, nice people. Filled, worked in fitting rooms, folded and folded and folded. The air-conditioner was broken today so it was disgustingly hot in the store. Made my way home, got a slice at my favorite pizza place, and watched some television to recover from waking up way to early as of late. While I didn't do anything crazy, the city has its slow side and I am taking advantage of it. Today I got to thinking about Big Decisions. "Should I stay or should I go?" The question that has echoed through the ages has finally hit me. In a city where tea is $50 and public urination has been embraced, one must wonder if it is the right fit for them. I have seen maybe 10% of the city, yet I guess I would never see the whole city no matter how long I had lived here. Yet I have caught myself saying if A happens I will stay, or if B happens I will go. This constant uncertainty has left me unsettled. I wonder if in the pure fact that I am questioning wether I should stay at all should be the sign that I am not really wanting to stay. While on the other hand I think that possibly in the fact that I am even acknowledging both possibilities suggests that I am ready to stay, and that I am aware of what is required of me and what would change in my life. When it comes to choices how do you know what's the right one?

A Rockin' Day

May 21. Today I got to sleep in a little. For real this time. I watched some television then made my way down to Saks, for a quick return, Quality Concern. Then I made my way back uptown to go to the Guggenheim Museum. I am a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and have wanted to visit for a while, it was definitely worth my time. The exhibits were also worth my time and pretty interesting. It was film and photographs and a nice range of time periods and styles. The one thing I was surprised by was that some of the pieces were framed and had matting - just made them look cheap. The museum's skylight is being refurbished so it was not in all its glory, but still a nice atmosphere. Loved the museum, just the right size. After the museum took a cab to the Plaza for tea in the Palm Room. I thought it was going to be better than the Brown Palace... not even close. The service was slow and not friendly. The food was only okay. And it cost $50. I was expecting it to be expensive, but I was expecting to get something worth while. I plan to write a strongly worded letter on how disappointed I was. After lunch I walked over to Rockefeller Center to see about tickets and times for Top of the Rock - similar to Empire State Building height and look out tour. Got a ticket for 9:05pm and then headed back over by the Plaza for the Paris Theater. They were playing Babies. The movie was good. The theater was nice, not exactly what expected. These bitches sat next to me that would not shut up, I thought it was ironic that before the movie they were complaining about people brought children and how it ruins the movie experience for them. I should have said "didn't notice the kid during the movie, but I wish you would learn how to shut the fuck up." After the movie made a few phone calls and made my way back to the Rock. Wandered around and then got in line for my tour. The elevator took us up to the 67 floor. It was a great ride. You can see through the ceiling of the elevator while you go up and there is a light show of sorts as you go up. Once I was up there took a bunch of photos. A rather enjoyable little tour. Came home around 10. All in all a very successful day.

The Guggenheim

The Plaza's The Palm Court for Tea

The Rock in the Background with Atlas in the Foreground

First Big Day

May 20. Today started out with the wonderful sound of cement being demolished at the extremely reasonable hour of 8am. I got up and watched some television, waiting for the Guggenheim to open. Wondering what time they actually opened I looked up hours. They are closed on Thursdays, so that pretty much killed my plans for the day so I got creative. I was inspired by Sex and the City to have a slice of pizza and some Tasty D Lite (spelling?). I walked to the park with my soft serve in hand and my camera in tote. I walked around The Jacquelyn Kennedy Reservoir, made my way to the Great Lawn, then to the Castle. The Castle was interesting. The staircase was beyond inconvenient, but I guess castles are supposed to be that way that was the point. I then walked through the Rumble or something along those lines on over to the stairs and arches that are featured in Home Alone Lost in New York. Then I watched some street performers, interesting, but not amazing. Then headed over to a big rock that I have seen in films before to get some good panoramic shots. Then walked on over to the ice skating rink, that is just a concrete slab now, but still picturesque. Then exited the park to head to my New York Icon... The Plaza. From Eloise to Kevin McAlester I had to see it. I might just have to have tea there some day soon. The side I wanted to go in has become private, but I still go to go in. Nice to finally make it home. Then walked along 5th Ave for about an hour. Went back into A&F, thought about getting a Polaroid with the greeters since I have a little history with the company thought it would be a nice memento. Didn't do it though. I then headed to the train. I was Brooklyn bound. Took a series of trains to be in Williamsburg, first impression was how much quieter it is than Manhattan. Meet a friend and his friends for a bite to eat then headed over to a few beer gardens that were pretty interesting and then went to a real neat hole in the wall of a bar. Stayed out the latest I have since I've been here like 10:30. Crazy I know! I'm now home about to eat my last cupcake from Crumbs. I went yesterday after my post. Big plans for tomorrow. Guggenheim. Saks. Plaza. 30Rock. Paris. We will see what I can accomplish.

On Madison Ave.

May 19. Today I woke up early yet again for work. Today I let the water run for a while so I don't earn the rep of the smelly kid at work. I pulled samples, sensored (or as they say taged), hung, and folded for my 5 hours. Big day at work! Not really. I then took the train home, to grab my camera to go on down to Madison Ave to go to the Whitney Museum for the Biennial. Before I went to the museum I wanted to go eat. So I wandered Madison, popping in and out of shops - unfortunately nothing interested me yet again. I then decided that Madison is not a food avenue, so I went over to... Lexington? I don't know. I just know I got a sandwich. I wanted to eat it on a bench in front of the museum, but that is not an option, so I was like I'll go to the park. I then headed into the park and ate my lunch near some toy boating pond near the Alice In Wonderland Statue. Got a picture of the statue, that was in Remember Me, and something else. Anyway had to wait until these pesky kids would climb to one side so I could get a picture with out them in it. I succeeded I think. I then headed over to the museum. The 5 floors contained temporary works, and a permanent gallery up top. Some of the pieces were not my style. Some of the pieces were amazing. And others I was indifferent towards. One comment about the staff. I was surprised haw many spoke so little english. I asked to take a picture and the guy just looked at me, then I start to take a picture and he flipped. Come on people work with me. In the biennial I saw two pieces that really stood out. A film with two projectors playing different things, but correlating to what was going on in both. It was narrated by the artist, who is a psychologist as well I gathered. She told the story of a man who had his ability to record memories. He can only remember things from 50 years ago, and 20 seconds after a memory, and then it is lost forever. It was very interesting hearing his story, and her connection to this man, which you would think would be nothing, but turns out to be great. Through out the film one screen will continue while the other pauses or goes to another screen and repeats the last 20 seconds similar to what H. M. (the man in the piece with the memory condition) would have to deal with. The other piece that caught my eye was a series of small canvases that are covered in lines. These lines are perspective lines. But on one side of the canvas they look like they will be straight all the way across and some how you make it to the other side and there are all of these slopping lines. It boggled my mind. I loved it. I then made a quick loop around the permanent gallery saw a cool door that had been folded. And a sheet of plywood that inspired me to maybe do an art project some day. After my loop I passed a tour guide, she sounded interesting, and thy had just started. But she wasn't as interesting as I would have liked her to be. I then made it outside to head home. And decided to take a cab. Not sure why, just felt like it. I hailed a cab like a pro, I got the cab before the many other people around me. I got skill. $10 later I'm home. Probably will not do that again, but still fun. Really craving a cupcake. Might have to leave my apartment even though I feel like I'm in for the night. We will see. Tomorrow I want to go to the Guggenheim, and if it is nice take a walk around the park.

How I Hate The Rain

May 18. In the city that never sleeps I seemed to do just that last night. I'm not sure if it was the concern of having to get up so early, or the heat, but either way I don't feel like I slept at all. I woke up at 5:20am to be to work at 7. I started to jump in the shower when I realized it was beyond an acceptable temperature to shower in, so I, JZ, skipped my morning shower. In this bad form I decided to leave early just in case. I made it to the subway with a moment to spare boarded the train and was off... for about 5 stops. Then the POS stopped right in its tracks. While wonder weather or not I was going to be bombed, or have to share bottled water with the few prepared people that are on joining me on the train I wasn't sure. After they solved the issue, never revealing what that issue was to us I might add, took us two more stops and decided that we all should get off and wait for the next train. A few minutes later two groups of Manhattanites crammed on to the 6 at Grand Central to make it with moments to spare to arrive at work on time. Being un-showered and mildly distraught I thought it was the perfect way to start my first day at my new job. I made my way down to the shipment room, processed the men's samples... so many! Not used to this amount of shipment or this amount of back-stock. Sat through my first morning meeting, saw how they roll, which was very different from what I am used to. After morning meeting I rekindled my passion of folding, until I realized I hate folding shit that is super light weight and is not meant to be folded. After I, a master of folding, was criticized on my folding skills I wasn't sure how much longer I was going to have to be there. I rounded out the day with trying on the sample size for a pair of pants that they offered me, for FREE. I didn't take them since they fit pretty poorly. After I got walked out, or as they like to call it "checked out" (is there a difference? That was my thought. But when I got multiple blank stares apparently there is). I ate at yet another pizza place, and got a large drink- which is what I would consider a small and to my horror the guy was surprised I wanted a refill. I took the subway home, because I figured all problems had been solved. Not the case. A train had caught one of the trains, thus hindering traffic. When I finally made it home, I dropped off my stuff, went to the store got 3 cases of Pepsi, and 2 boxes of cereal. I know, super healthy. Whatever. I spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the couch and some television. What a day. I get to get up early tomorrow again, hopefully I will sleep better tonight.

What I Came Here For

May 17. Today I woke up about 10. I originally woke up at 7 thanks to the construction on the subway just outside my window. But luckily I am amazing at sleeping so I made it to 10. I then finished my thank you notes, and addressed them all and mailed them out. On my back from the post office I got my first slice of New York style pizza. It was pretty good. I mean there are like 7000 other place to choose from, but I'll chip away at that block fast enough. I got ready and headed off to SoHo for my internship interview. I arrived about 10 minutes early and waited for the interview. It took about 10 minutes, so lets hope that it was fast because she knew I was what she wanted as opposed to rushing through the interview because I was not what she was looking for. Fingers crossed considering that an internship was the whole reason I came out here. I then headed home, along the way I stopped into Chanel to see the men's items. They only had 4 items to look at so that took about 6 seconds. Not what I wanted, but I'll come back. Made it home by 7, and getting ready to settle in. Am going out to get food soon. Going to make it an early night since I have to be at work at 7am. GROSS.

Almost One Week In The City

I have been in New York City for 5 days now and have done quit a few things that I wanted to do. I live on the Upper East Side, near Spanish Harlem (I try not to think about that though). I live on the 5th floor, which is going to get me into some serious shape, and I fortunately live alone.

I arrived on May 11th. That evening I just walked up and down 3rd Ave for about 100 blocks. Went into Bloomingdales, was not that impressed. I ate at Qdoba - I know big surprise.

This is me at my first meal in the city. An awkward picture, but it's the best I can do without looking like a creep.

May 12. I woke up early. Got breakfast at a corner bakery, and made my way to Barneys. I really liked Barneys, but of course they didn't have that many clothes to pick from. I tried on anything my heart desired, which was great. I then walked to Jeffrey's which was like 60 blocks. Jeffrey's was not what I thought, but it was nice to see. I then walked over to Rick Owens which was neat, but again not what I thought. I then walked around in SoHo and went into the the Prada store that was designed by Rem Koolhaus. It was cool, much smaller than I had imagined. They had also disabled a lot of the innovative functions that the store originally had due to being abused by customers. I also went into H & M, and Uniqlo they were pretty neat to see, but way crowded. I also went into the Hollister Co. Flagship store. It was HUGE.

My first time feeling like I'm in the city.

May 13. Walked along Central Park and 5th and went into all of the stores I thought that would be interesting. Went into Apple, FAO Schwartz, Mui Mui, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Burberry, Bottega Venetta, Saks, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Abercrombie and Fitch Flagship Store. All were pretty impressive. A&F was insanely huge. There were like 2 people to a table. The standard was floor set perfect, but to be honest with that many people I kind of expected nothing less. I also spent a long while at YSL, where I bought a sweatshirt. I returned it a few hours later due to buyers remorse. But I may go back for something else. We will see. HA.

My first view of Central Park.

May 14. Today I slept in. But I made my way down to SoHo again to go into the stores that I didn't get the chance to go into the other day. I then went to Robin Hood. I liked the original better, but it still was good. The theater had a crazy set up, it went down rather than back. The seats were not what I am used to, so I am on the search for the best theater in New York.

May 15. Today I went to the Met. It was pretty cool, it was HUGE! I saw almost everything I wanted to see. I got to go to the American Women Fashioning a National Identity. It was pretty cool, but smaller than I thought. I will most definitely go back.

The Met.

May 16. Today I filled out paper work at my new job at Urban Outfitters. I then walked down to Marc Jacobs, except there were like 6 stores, which I was not expecting, but it turned out they were sold out of the one thing I wanted. This seems to be happening everywhere I go for anything I want. I then made it home to start my blog. I might go to the park later today. Or maybe tomorrow. I went on top of my roof and on to my fire escape. It is a pretty cool view. I was kind of surprised what I saw. I think that is why they do arial shots of the city.

A view from my room.

I have yet to go to any restaurants that I wanted to, considering I don't like eating alone. I still have some more museums I look forward to visiting, some architectural sites, and a couple more stores.

In my first few days people thought I was from here. I'm not sure if they were tourist, or New Yorker's but either way. I'll take the compliment.

So far I don't feel like I'm in New York. Probably because I don't have the sets and lighting of television and movies. Maybe soon I'll feel like I am where I know I am.

Well I will try to post something everyday.