This is a phrase I'm hearing a lot these days--and not because I've ever read Ayn Rand's book. (Though it is on my list.) I've walked by the name John Galt every day on my way to and from work. Perhaps if I had read the novel it would have caught my eye, but instead I, like most everyone else, walked right by it without a second, third, or forty-sixth glance.
The name John Galt appears on a sign outside the building next door to mine. The building that is not currently being taken down, as there is a stop-work order pending the investigation of the fire last Saturday. John Galt appears just below and to the right of the name Bovis. Now that name I do recognize. It is, after all, nearly twice the size of John Galt's name on the sign. When the building was scheduled to be taken down, the contract was finally awarded to Bovis Lend Lease, who then sub-contracted John Galt to do the actual demolition.
But who is John Galt?
We'd like to believe he's a visionary engineer and inventor, as in Rand's novel. The savior of mankind. Rather, it turns out that the deeper meaning of the question in the context of the everyman's helplessness in Rand's book is more correct--"Don't ask important questions, because we don't have answers."
There aren’t a whole lot of records, public or private, that explain who John Galt is. There is no record of employees, no record of clients, no record of past projects, or even current projects. In fact, it seems that the only reason to believe that John Galt is even a real firm is that it appears, just below Bovis, on the sign outside of 130 Liberty St.
As the investigations into what went wrong with the fire on Saturday continue, more and more damning details are emerging. The standpipe that failed to bring water up to the floors that were burning? Disconnected in the basement. The fire-resistant plywood (wood?) that was supposed to seal off the floors from each other? Burned quickly and efficiently, spreading the fire to nearly ten floors. John Galt, the firm doing the work?
Not exactly.
In reality, the workers doing the work, the experts, and the managers are all from the Regional Scaffolding and Hoisting Company, which even shares its address with John Galt. The Regional Scaffolding and Hoisting Company has never demolished a skyscraper before, as their name might suggest. The executives running the show are from the Safeway Environmental Corporation, which was already removed from a 130 Liberty St. contract because of questions about its integrity. John Galt is a facade, behind which these less qualified and less honest companies hide. And just in case you were wondering, Safeway lost its earlier contract on the building because it was hiding information that one of its owners was a convicted Gambino family associate. Oops.
But, with a 41-story skyscraper, years vacant since it was damaged beyond repair and filled with toxic chemicals, dust, and mold, no one else wanted the job of taking it down. There were a few contractors bidding for it, but all but one were eliminated for various reasons. When it came down to it, it was Bovis with the contract, and only the mysterious John Galt actually asking to do the work.
Now as the city wades through the mire of under the table agreements, failed inspections, and hidden information, the building is once again sitting and waiting for its end.
Read more here.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Fire in the Sky
The building on the left with the arched windows is where I live. This was in response to the seven-alarm fire on Saturday that raged through the old Deutsche Bank building next door.
In the picture below, my building is the one on the right, with the copper roof.
Fortunately for me, I was out of the city this weekend. When I got home, I found all the streets surrounding my building closed off to only NYPD, FDNY, OEM, and those of us who lived there. Although they let my fiancé, a guest, and myself through without question when we first arrived last night, I had to show ID to the police when I went to grab some food for breakfast this morning. And again when I left for work this morning. An investigation is on-going, though the streets are nearly cleaned up, and life has resumed. The main concern now is air quality in the area, although all of the emergency officials are walking around without masks.
Two firefighters lost their lives fighting this fire. Many of their colleagues were lost six years ago across the street. May they rest in peace.
The New York Times has a slide show here.
Coincidentally, on Friday the Times had a slide show of how the building is being dismantled.
This building has had a troubled history these last several years. It was irreparably damaged on September 11th, 2001, and was left vacant while the workers cleaned up the area around it. In that time, the water from putting out the fires combined with the chemicals released by the collapse of the towers to create a toxic and moldy environment throughout the building. As a result, the building was condemned to be taken down floor-by-floor, with air quality regulators and inspectors making sure that none of this material escaped to the rest of the neighborhood. For the last year, crews have been cleaning out the interior, and the main dismantling began back in February. Originally 41 floors, the building now stands at 26 floors, and will remain that way until the work crews can continue pending the investigation of the fire.
For now, I see a shell of a building out my window. Broken windows, collapsed scaffolding, and the eerie hulk of a building that should already have been put out of its misery by now.
Photos from the NYT wesite, www.nytimes.com
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Rain, that Arch-Nemesis of Transportation
Of course, I slept through it all, but there were very high winds and even reports of funnel clouds over Brooklyn. What I woke up to, though, was simply a 102 year old subway system that was completely shut down. Utter chaos ensued. With no subway service, and barely functioning commuter trains, Manhattan was inundated with cars all trying to cram themselves in. And all the busses were similarly crammed with people trying to get to work.
When I first joined the masses at the bus stop, we all watched as three over-full busses went by without even stopping. Then two more came by where I couldn't get on. Finally, I was able to stand on the bottom step, just as the doors were closing. Seeing some space further in, I quietly asked the lady next to me if she would move in a little to give the rest of us some space. Some guy thought I was referring to him, and started yelling about how rude I was being. Then another guy started yelling at the first for yelling at me.
By the way, thanks. You got pushed toward the back, and I was pushed toward the front, so I never got to thank you in person.
Yet, all of this begs the question; how has a subway system over one hundred years old not yet learned to deal with rain?
When I first joined the masses at the bus stop, we all watched as three over-full busses went by without even stopping. Then two more came by where I couldn't get on. Finally, I was able to stand on the bottom step, just as the doors were closing. Seeing some space further in, I quietly asked the lady next to me if she would move in a little to give the rest of us some space. Some guy thought I was referring to him, and started yelling about how rude I was being. Then another guy started yelling at the first for yelling at me.
By the way, thanks. You got pushed toward the back, and I was pushed toward the front, so I never got to thank you in person.
Yet, all of this begs the question; how has a subway system over one hundred years old not yet learned to deal with rain?
Thursday, July 26, 2007
A Few Changes....
I've finally gotten around to changing things around a bit. Just a few minor things, here and there. Feedback and suggestions are welcome. I'm also linking to some of your blogs now, and there are some of you that I don't know the urls off the top of my head. So, let me know.
I'm not quite comfortable yet with the idea of changing colors....but we'll see, I may get there.
I'm not quite comfortable yet with the idea of changing colors....but we'll see, I may get there.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
You Can Always Go Back....
From the New York Times
Queen Guitarist to Complete Doctorate
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 25, 2007
Filed at 10:10 a.m. ET
LONDON (AP) -- Brian May is completing his doctorate in astrophysics, more than 30 years after he abandoned his studies to form the rock group Queen.
The 60-year-old guitarist and songwriter said he plans to submit his thesis, ''Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud,'' to supervisors at Imperial College London within the next two weeks.
May was an astrophysics student at Imperial College when Queen, which included Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, was formed in 1970. He dropped his doctorate as the glam rock band became successful.
Queen were one of Britain's biggest music groups in the 1970s, with hits including ''Bohemian Rhapsody'' and ''We Will Rock You.''
After Mercury's death in 1991, May recorded several solo albums, including 1998's ''Another World.'' But his interest in astronomy continued, and he co-wrote ''Bang! The Complete History of the Universe,'' which was published last year.
He was due to finish carrying out astronomical observations at an observatory on the island of La Palma, in Spain's Canary Islands, on Tuesday, the observatory said.
May told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he had always wanted to complete his degree.
''It was unfinished business,'' he said. ''I didn't want an honorary Ph.D. I wanted the real thing that I worked for.''
--------------------------------------------
Some people have told me that they worry that I've given up my dream, or my principles. I'd just like to remind them that no decision is permanent, and you can always go back.
Queen Guitarist to Complete Doctorate
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: July 25, 2007
Filed at 10:10 a.m. ET
LONDON (AP) -- Brian May is completing his doctorate in astrophysics, more than 30 years after he abandoned his studies to form the rock group Queen.
The 60-year-old guitarist and songwriter said he plans to submit his thesis, ''Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud,'' to supervisors at Imperial College London within the next two weeks.
May was an astrophysics student at Imperial College when Queen, which included Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor, was formed in 1970. He dropped his doctorate as the glam rock band became successful.
Queen were one of Britain's biggest music groups in the 1970s, with hits including ''Bohemian Rhapsody'' and ''We Will Rock You.''
After Mercury's death in 1991, May recorded several solo albums, including 1998's ''Another World.'' But his interest in astronomy continued, and he co-wrote ''Bang! The Complete History of the Universe,'' which was published last year.
He was due to finish carrying out astronomical observations at an observatory on the island of La Palma, in Spain's Canary Islands, on Tuesday, the observatory said.
May told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he had always wanted to complete his degree.
''It was unfinished business,'' he said. ''I didn't want an honorary Ph.D. I wanted the real thing that I worked for.''
--------------------------------------------
Some people have told me that they worry that I've given up my dream, or my principles. I'd just like to remind them that no decision is permanent, and you can always go back.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Harry Potter and the Converted Fan
I never thought I'd like Harry Potter. I avoided the first book, all those years ago, when all my friends were raving about it. I laughed when it hit number one on the New York Times Bestseller list. And I flat-out refused when the first movie arrived in theaters.
My family, as in many cases, decided for me. On Thanksgiving of that year, it was decided that the whole family would go see the first movie together after our Thanksgiving dinner. My younger cousin and I were the lucky ones who had the privilege to go to the theater and block off an entire row for the rest of our family. I've never been called so many nasty names by angry parents in my life. The movie was alright. It was fun, but definitely a kids movie. It was, after all, about a bunch of eleven-year-olds.
It was a few years, and four books, later when a friend of mine convinced me to give Harry Potter a chance. Reading the first book, I found, was much better than the only move I'd seen. The second, third, fourth, and even fifth only continued to get better and better. I wouldn't consider myself a fan, but they were definitely enjoyable to read.
When the sixth book came out a year ago, I read it after my girlfriend, and was transfixed. It was gripping, and I found myself frustrated by all the things I'd forgotten in the two years since I'd last read the series. I started over again, and read through all six books.
The seventh and final book, as if I even needed to say, came out last weekend. It's the first one that I've bought, and not borrowed. It's the first one that I acquired and started reading the day it was sold. It's also the longest book I've ever read in a single weekend--a weekend that also included a trip out to Connecticut.
Around 7pm, my fiancé and I went down to Harry Potter Place. Scholastic, the US publisher of the books, converted the small cobble stoned Soho street behind their headquarters into a veritable Diagon Alley. Here you could find a whomping willow, magicians, face-painting, a sneak peak at the final book, and a few other activities that would allow muggles to escape to Harry's world--if only as a pretext to get in line for the book. More interesting than the activities, though, were all the people, dressed as various characters real and imaginary. Unfortunately for us, the line to get into this tightly controlled space was quite long, and we'd hoped to find a better way to spend the evening.
And so we did. Down where I live, there's a Borders on Wall Street. Since there aren't many people who live in the financial district, we figured it would be a far better alternative to standing in line for ages and ages in Soho. We made the right choice. We got numbered wrist bands upon arrival, and were then free to peruse the store, or even leave. No lines! We whiled away, chatting and reading bits of books around the store. We took part in a brief debate on whether Snape was a friend or foe, and watched all the kids--and a few adults--in their costumes. When midnight struck, we bought our books and headed home to begin reading. We read nearly all weekend, with brief pauses to eat, sleep, and view possible wedding venues. It was so gripping, and so well-crafted, that I couldn't put it down. I even woke up a little early yesterday morning to finish it before work as I was so close to the end. It was wholly satisfying.
What a great story.
My family, as in many cases, decided for me. On Thanksgiving of that year, it was decided that the whole family would go see the first movie together after our Thanksgiving dinner. My younger cousin and I were the lucky ones who had the privilege to go to the theater and block off an entire row for the rest of our family. I've never been called so many nasty names by angry parents in my life. The movie was alright. It was fun, but definitely a kids movie. It was, after all, about a bunch of eleven-year-olds.
It was a few years, and four books, later when a friend of mine convinced me to give Harry Potter a chance. Reading the first book, I found, was much better than the only move I'd seen. The second, third, fourth, and even fifth only continued to get better and better. I wouldn't consider myself a fan, but they were definitely enjoyable to read.
When the sixth book came out a year ago, I read it after my girlfriend, and was transfixed. It was gripping, and I found myself frustrated by all the things I'd forgotten in the two years since I'd last read the series. I started over again, and read through all six books.
The seventh and final book, as if I even needed to say, came out last weekend. It's the first one that I've bought, and not borrowed. It's the first one that I acquired and started reading the day it was sold. It's also the longest book I've ever read in a single weekend--a weekend that also included a trip out to Connecticut.
Around 7pm, my fiancé and I went down to Harry Potter Place. Scholastic, the US publisher of the books, converted the small cobble stoned Soho street behind their headquarters into a veritable Diagon Alley. Here you could find a whomping willow, magicians, face-painting, a sneak peak at the final book, and a few other activities that would allow muggles to escape to Harry's world--if only as a pretext to get in line for the book. More interesting than the activities, though, were all the people, dressed as various characters real and imaginary. Unfortunately for us, the line to get into this tightly controlled space was quite long, and we'd hoped to find a better way to spend the evening.
And so we did. Down where I live, there's a Borders on Wall Street. Since there aren't many people who live in the financial district, we figured it would be a far better alternative to standing in line for ages and ages in Soho. We made the right choice. We got numbered wrist bands upon arrival, and were then free to peruse the store, or even leave. No lines! We whiled away, chatting and reading bits of books around the store. We took part in a brief debate on whether Snape was a friend or foe, and watched all the kids--and a few adults--in their costumes. When midnight struck, we bought our books and headed home to begin reading. We read nearly all weekend, with brief pauses to eat, sleep, and view possible wedding venues. It was so gripping, and so well-crafted, that I couldn't put it down. I even woke up a little early yesterday morning to finish it before work as I was so close to the end. It was wholly satisfying.
What a great story.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Round 4: License to Ki--er, Drive
In a bold move that is seemingly against all they stand for, the bureaucracies of Michigan and New York have worked. The Michigan SoS did in fact send me a record of my license that proves how long I've had it. And the New York DMV actually aceepted it without question. So all that remained to do was wait in line. And wait I did, but in the end, I walked out the door with my head held high and a temporary New York driver's license in my hand.
Admittedly, I won't be completely breathing easy until the permanent license finds its way to me. But for the time being, I'm thankful for small victories.
Andrew: 1 DMV: 3
Admittedly, I won't be completely breathing easy until the permanent license finds its way to me. But for the time being, I'm thankful for small victories.
Andrew: 1 DMV: 3
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
Round 3: Pinch Hitting for #11 New York DMV, is #26 Michigan SoS
So I find myself wondering, where is this record the Michigan Secretary of State is supposed to be mailing me?
I call up the SoS to find out what the deal is. Turns out that whoever I'd talked to before was on a substantial amount of drugs at the time. There was no record of my call. And even if there was, they couldn't send me the report, they could only send me the application for the report. I still have to pay $8 before they'll print the report and send it. So they faxed the application to me, and I faxed it back to them.
$8 poorer, and still waiting.
Andrew: 0 DMV: 3
I call up the SoS to find out what the deal is. Turns out that whoever I'd talked to before was on a substantial amount of drugs at the time. There was no record of my call. And even if there was, they couldn't send me the report, they could only send me the application for the report. I still have to pay $8 before they'll print the report and send it. So they faxed the application to me, and I faxed it back to them.
$8 poorer, and still waiting.
Andrew: 0 DMV: 3
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Round 2: Andrew vs. The Department of Motor Vehicles for the State of New York
I received a present in the mail two days ago. A brand new, shiny (figuratively, of course, it's not actually shiny as it's not laminated) social security card. And for those of you wondering, nowhere on the card or on any documentation that came with the card does it tell you not to laminate the card.
So there.
Yesterday I took my new present to show the nice folks at the DMV. They were pleased, and the young man behind the counter and I joked about the silliness of denying my old social security card. Suddenly, though, his demeanor changed, and he stopped laughing. I continued for a bit, not realizing I was the only person in the DMV with a smile on my face. With a tone of genuine pity, he informed me that my now-expired Michigan license did not display the date it was issued to me. New York, you see, requires you to prove that you've had your license for more the six months. Other states on the east coast print the date of issue right on the license, so it's not usually a problem, but....
So, after a quick phone call to the Michigan Secretary of State, I am once again waiting for the mailman to bring me the ticket to driving legally. This time, it's a record from Michigan that states how long I've had my license.
I do understand the need to have complete records, and I do understand that different states have different requirements. What I do not understand is why the lady who looked at my documents the first time failed to mention this second issue. What I do not understand is why I had to stand in line, wait, and be late for work a second time, only to be assured that I'd have to come back a third time.
I'll get you next time, DMV, next time!
Andrew: 0 DMV: 2
So there.
Yesterday I took my new present to show the nice folks at the DMV. They were pleased, and the young man behind the counter and I joked about the silliness of denying my old social security card. Suddenly, though, his demeanor changed, and he stopped laughing. I continued for a bit, not realizing I was the only person in the DMV with a smile on my face. With a tone of genuine pity, he informed me that my now-expired Michigan license did not display the date it was issued to me. New York, you see, requires you to prove that you've had your license for more the six months. Other states on the east coast print the date of issue right on the license, so it's not usually a problem, but....
So, after a quick phone call to the Michigan Secretary of State, I am once again waiting for the mailman to bring me the ticket to driving legally. This time, it's a record from Michigan that states how long I've had my license.
I do understand the need to have complete records, and I do understand that different states have different requirements. What I do not understand is why the lady who looked at my documents the first time failed to mention this second issue. What I do not understand is why I had to stand in line, wait, and be late for work a second time, only to be assured that I'd have to come back a third time.
I'll get you next time, DMV, next time!
Andrew: 0 DMV: 2
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Andrew vs. The Department of Motor Vehicles for the State of New York
So my birthday is coming up next week -- yay!
So my driver's license expires on that day -- crap.
Fortunately, switching my old Michigan license over to a New York license is a simple matter of filling out a form, getting my picture taken, and waiting for it to show up in the mail. To save time, I go to the DMV website and print out the form. I gather up my passport, social security card, notarized birth certificate, $300 in gold-pressed doubloons, deed to my soul, deed to my first born child, and Michigan driver's license, and head on down to the nearest DMV twenty minutes before they open in the morning.
Upon arrival, I find the line is down the hall, down the stairs, and out the door. And they haven't even opened the doors for business yet. I stand for a while, when someone asks me what I'm "in" for. In for? Whatever could he mean? He explains that he was ticketed for running a red light, but the light wasn't actually red, you see....and so on. It's then that I see the large, yellow sign with bold black print, "Traffic Violations Bureau."
It's a short walk two blocks down the street to the actual DMV office. I get there right about 8:30am when the doors open. The line is shorter than the last, but I'm still roughly the 30th person in line. The doors open, we all file in....and wait....to get to the desk of the person who tells us where to go next. I get there after a nice long while, and show them my completed application, and they send me over to the person who takes the pictures. I wait in that line for a while, and finally get up to that desk. I hand over my application, all my documents, and step over in front of the picture back-drop. The women behind the counter looks up at me, sighs, and calls me over. She holds up my social security card and shakes her head.
My social security card is laminated. Back in the good old days, when I was too young to have a driver's license, I crossed the border into Canada with my social security card. That was all you needed then--and they hardly ever asked for it. In order to keep it intact, my mom suggested I laminate it, which I did. It's just a piece of paper, after all.
The great state of New York does not accept documents that have been altered, and lamination counts as alteration. After all that time waiting, I was turned away. Now I have to go to the social security office to get a new card before I can go back to the DMV to get a new license. And there is no way that the social security card will arrive before my current license expires. Thank goodness I never drive in New York!
Andrew: 0 DMV: 1
So my driver's license expires on that day -- crap.
Fortunately, switching my old Michigan license over to a New York license is a simple matter of filling out a form, getting my picture taken, and waiting for it to show up in the mail. To save time, I go to the DMV website and print out the form. I gather up my passport, social security card, notarized birth certificate, $300 in gold-pressed doubloons, deed to my soul, deed to my first born child, and Michigan driver's license, and head on down to the nearest DMV twenty minutes before they open in the morning.
Upon arrival, I find the line is down the hall, down the stairs, and out the door. And they haven't even opened the doors for business yet. I stand for a while, when someone asks me what I'm "in" for. In for? Whatever could he mean? He explains that he was ticketed for running a red light, but the light wasn't actually red, you see....and so on. It's then that I see the large, yellow sign with bold black print, "Traffic Violations Bureau."
It's a short walk two blocks down the street to the actual DMV office. I get there right about 8:30am when the doors open. The line is shorter than the last, but I'm still roughly the 30th person in line. The doors open, we all file in....and wait....to get to the desk of the person who tells us where to go next. I get there after a nice long while, and show them my completed application, and they send me over to the person who takes the pictures. I wait in that line for a while, and finally get up to that desk. I hand over my application, all my documents, and step over in front of the picture back-drop. The women behind the counter looks up at me, sighs, and calls me over. She holds up my social security card and shakes her head.
My social security card is laminated. Back in the good old days, when I was too young to have a driver's license, I crossed the border into Canada with my social security card. That was all you needed then--and they hardly ever asked for it. In order to keep it intact, my mom suggested I laminate it, which I did. It's just a piece of paper, after all.
The great state of New York does not accept documents that have been altered, and lamination counts as alteration. After all that time waiting, I was turned away. Now I have to go to the social security office to get a new card before I can go back to the DMV to get a new license. And there is no way that the social security card will arrive before my current license expires. Thank goodness I never drive in New York!
Andrew: 0 DMV: 1
The High Road
Sometimes you have to take the high road, and sometimes that means giving up on your principles. When a person you disagree with escalates the disagreement beyond reason, the best thing to do really is to bow out and let it be. Sure, you abandon your point and your side of the story however right or wrong it was. Some people would say, "No, stick to your guns." Yet, that doesn't accomplish anything more. Be the first apologize--even if you're the only one to apologize.
Monday, April 30, 2007
My How the Time Flies
Alright, time to write in this thing before a whole two months go by (again).
A good many of the reasons that I haven't been writing lately is simply that a whole lot has been going on. Here's a quick re-cap for those who've been wondering.
Shortly after my last post, I drove down to South Carolina for my Music Fraternity's annual National Convention. It was an absolutely amazing time that included some wonderful music, catching up with some fantastic old friends--oh, and also being elected National President of the Fraternity. It's a great honor, and I hope to make the Fraternity proud.
Shortly after that trip, my boss offered me a full-time position at my office. Up until then I was technically a freelancer, meaning I was paid hourly and didn't receive any benefits. Now I'm an official employee, with business cards and health-care, and all. An apartment, a job--I'm practically a real person.
Then there were a slew of friends' music recitals, and folks visiting the city, and catch-up dinners.
Then that good friend who came out to interview at my office starting working with me. They chose me, of all people, to train him. It's fantastic to have a familiar face around, and while I know he's still a bit nervous about things, I know it's working out wonderfully. (I hope you're reading this....)
Next up was my house-warming party, and only seven weeks after I moved in to the new place. Good times all around. And finally, some more outings with old friends, and even seeing one up on stage at a comedy club. It's good to say positively that we laughed at her, none of us ever expected her to take up comedy as a career.
I guess that about wraps things up. I'll have to go into more detail later....and that means getting in the habit of writing more. We'll see if it actually happens.
A good many of the reasons that I haven't been writing lately is simply that a whole lot has been going on. Here's a quick re-cap for those who've been wondering.
Shortly after my last post, I drove down to South Carolina for my Music Fraternity's annual National Convention. It was an absolutely amazing time that included some wonderful music, catching up with some fantastic old friends--oh, and also being elected National President of the Fraternity. It's a great honor, and I hope to make the Fraternity proud.
Shortly after that trip, my boss offered me a full-time position at my office. Up until then I was technically a freelancer, meaning I was paid hourly and didn't receive any benefits. Now I'm an official employee, with business cards and health-care, and all. An apartment, a job--I'm practically a real person.
Then there were a slew of friends' music recitals, and folks visiting the city, and catch-up dinners.
Then that good friend who came out to interview at my office starting working with me. They chose me, of all people, to train him. It's fantastic to have a familiar face around, and while I know he's still a bit nervous about things, I know it's working out wonderfully. (I hope you're reading this....)
Next up was my house-warming party, and only seven weeks after I moved in to the new place. Good times all around. And finally, some more outings with old friends, and even seeing one up on stage at a comedy club. It's good to say positively that we laughed at her, none of us ever expected her to take up comedy as a career.
I guess that about wraps things up. I'll have to go into more detail later....and that means getting in the habit of writing more. We'll see if it actually happens.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Omens
I've never been one for superstitions, but sometimes I have to wonder. Today I move out of Connecticut and back into Manhattan. Last night I packed my things, and after work today I start moving. This morning, I woke to a torrential downpour--not exactly good weather for moving. Yet, the forecast for today says it'll be sunny and 50 degrees by the time I go outside again. They say rain on moving days (and wedding days, and....) is good luck, but how nice it is to have the good luck and nice weather!
Furthering the theme, this morning was my last commute into the city on the train. And as if to say, "it's time for you to not ride the train from Connecticut anymore," my train caught fire halfway in. It wasn't a big deal, one of the heaters started sparking (probably from the rain) and there was smoke. Still, they evacuated the car, and almost evacuated the whole train.
But wait, there's more. One of my dearest friends is around this week visiting. I've been trying to convince him to move here, but of course needs a job to support it. Quite suddenly, someone in my office quit yesterday and we have a whole to fill. With a few words to my boss, my friend has an interview today.
I'm sure it's all coincidence, but at the same time, I can't help but feel that New York is welcoming me back.
Furthering the theme, this morning was my last commute into the city on the train. And as if to say, "it's time for you to not ride the train from Connecticut anymore," my train caught fire halfway in. It wasn't a big deal, one of the heaters started sparking (probably from the rain) and there was smoke. Still, they evacuated the car, and almost evacuated the whole train.
But wait, there's more. One of my dearest friends is around this week visiting. I've been trying to convince him to move here, but of course needs a job to support it. Quite suddenly, someone in my office quit yesterday and we have a whole to fill. With a few words to my boss, my friend has an interview today.
I'm sure it's all coincidence, but at the same time, I can't help but feel that New York is welcoming me back.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Never Better
Despite the rather morose tone of the last two posts, I have to say, things have never been better.
I love my job. It's not astrophysics, but it's fun and challenging and new. I work with some great people, I get to battle through problems that no one has ever solved before, and at the end of the day, I can point to something that millions of people look at and say, "look what I did."
On Monday I sign the lease on a new apartment in NYC. I don't move in until March 1st, but once I sign, the deal is done. I am very excited. It's a two bedroom that I'm sharing with a very nice roommate. It's down in the Financial District, which is a very up-and-coming area. The building itself is 100 years old, and at twenty-two stories, was considered one of the first skyscrapers in the world. It's lobby is all marble and terra cotta, it has a twenty-four hour doorman, valet services, and its own gym. My apartment itself has a dishwasher and its own washer and dryer--something almost unheard of in New York apartments. (Well, affordable New York apartments, at least.) I cannot wait.
I've had some great visitors. A dear friend from Michigan came out, and will be coming out again soon. My mom is in town for this weekend, too.
My girlfriend's recital for her Master of Music degree is tonight, and there are lots of friends and family around for it. I'm super excited, and while I know she's nervous, I know that she'll be great.
Things are, on the whole, good.
I love my job. It's not astrophysics, but it's fun and challenging and new. I work with some great people, I get to battle through problems that no one has ever solved before, and at the end of the day, I can point to something that millions of people look at and say, "look what I did."
On Monday I sign the lease on a new apartment in NYC. I don't move in until March 1st, but once I sign, the deal is done. I am very excited. It's a two bedroom that I'm sharing with a very nice roommate. It's down in the Financial District, which is a very up-and-coming area. The building itself is 100 years old, and at twenty-two stories, was considered one of the first skyscrapers in the world. It's lobby is all marble and terra cotta, it has a twenty-four hour doorman, valet services, and its own gym. My apartment itself has a dishwasher and its own washer and dryer--something almost unheard of in New York apartments. (Well, affordable New York apartments, at least.) I cannot wait.
I've had some great visitors. A dear friend from Michigan came out, and will be coming out again soon. My mom is in town for this weekend, too.
My girlfriend's recital for her Master of Music degree is tonight, and there are lots of friends and family around for it. I'm super excited, and while I know she's nervous, I know that she'll be great.
Things are, on the whole, good.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Leftover Confetti
One million people rang in the New Year just a block away from the building in which I work. One million people stood in an intersection, screamed numbers, kissed strangers, and loudly sang a song to which they hardly knew the lyrics. Months were spent building and testing a ridiculously expensive sphere just so it could have thirty seconds of that oh-so-famous downward motion. Seven thousand pounds of confetti poured onto those one million people, washing away old resolutions and cleansing them of a year grown old.
And then it was gone. A new morning on a new year brought not more than a team of sanitation workers to that intersection. The usual river of yellow taxis, the crowded sidewalks of tourists and tour guides, they all took their place as if nothing happened. All the noisemakers, all the hats, all the champagne bottles, all the hopes and dreams of a million people, the billions little bits of confetti paper that showered them, gone.
Or perhaps not all. As I sit in my office building high above Sixth Avenue, staring blankly out the window and pondering the intricasies of where to go for lunch, a little bit of brightly colored paper wafts by. And another. And another. Little ripped pieces of revelry and celebration ride the never-ending air currents that ebb and flow through skyscraper canyons. One brash little blue number swoops wildly and drunkenly kisses my window. You're a little late, I say to myself pretending it can hear, the party's over. No, I fancy it replies, it's not over until someone forgets about me. Until I hit the ground and some city employee throws me away. How long do you think I can last before I fall to the street?
The whole year, I hope.
And then it was gone. A new morning on a new year brought not more than a team of sanitation workers to that intersection. The usual river of yellow taxis, the crowded sidewalks of tourists and tour guides, they all took their place as if nothing happened. All the noisemakers, all the hats, all the champagne bottles, all the hopes and dreams of a million people, the billions little bits of confetti paper that showered them, gone.
Or perhaps not all. As I sit in my office building high above Sixth Avenue, staring blankly out the window and pondering the intricasies of where to go for lunch, a little bit of brightly colored paper wafts by. And another. And another. Little ripped pieces of revelry and celebration ride the never-ending air currents that ebb and flow through skyscraper canyons. One brash little blue number swoops wildly and drunkenly kisses my window. You're a little late, I say to myself pretending it can hear, the party's over. No, I fancy it replies, it's not over until someone forgets about me. Until I hit the ground and some city employee throws me away. How long do you think I can last before I fall to the street?
The whole year, I hope.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
"I'll Be Home For Christmas, If Only In My Dreams"
This will be the first Christmas in all my years that won't be spend with my family.
I've got a wonderful new job, and I'm really enjoying it (more details to come later), but it means I don't get much time off for the holidays. We had a half-day on Friday, and we get Christmas day off--but it's back to work on Tuesday morning. The same goes for the New Year, though I've asked for all of that Friday off. I need the money, it's the right choice. But still, it just won't be the same without Christmas eve and morning with my mom. It won't be the same without the big dinner with all the Soave's. It won't be the same without our crazy gift-giving game that no one can ever remember the rules of.
It won't be the same without my family.
I am, however, blessed with a warm welcome to the Christmas of my girlfriend's family. They're traditions are different, but their hearts are the same.
I feel both sad and happy at the same time.
I've got a wonderful new job, and I'm really enjoying it (more details to come later), but it means I don't get much time off for the holidays. We had a half-day on Friday, and we get Christmas day off--but it's back to work on Tuesday morning. The same goes for the New Year, though I've asked for all of that Friday off. I need the money, it's the right choice. But still, it just won't be the same without Christmas eve and morning with my mom. It won't be the same without the big dinner with all the Soave's. It won't be the same without our crazy gift-giving game that no one can ever remember the rules of.
It won't be the same without my family.
I am, however, blessed with a warm welcome to the Christmas of my girlfriend's family. They're traditions are different, but their hearts are the same.
I feel both sad and happy at the same time.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to.....Work?
First day on the new job; you want to make a good impression, you want to show up a little early, you want to prove to your new colleagues and coworkers that you're the right person and deserve to be there....
....you want to do something.
I arrived at the building a good twenty minutes early--my first mistake. Getting up to the offices, there was no one around to let me in. (Little did I know, there's a receptionist on the floor below me who could have let me in.) So, I wandered around a bit, and conveniently ran into my new boss on her way in. She showed me my new desk (which is unfortunately temporary, as it's right by a window), gave me a paper describing how to setup my computer, and asked me to wait until another person came in to actually show me what to do. Well, the computer took a few seconds, and I've read all the papers that happened to be sitting on my desk (no idea if they're meant for me). Since then, I've just been waiting. Over an hour.
I met the guy who's desk is next to mine, he seems very nice. A few other folks have given me curious glances, but mostly the office is still pretty empty. It's 10:20am!
Maybe this isn't far off from grad school after all....
....you want to do something.
I arrived at the building a good twenty minutes early--my first mistake. Getting up to the offices, there was no one around to let me in. (Little did I know, there's a receptionist on the floor below me who could have let me in.) So, I wandered around a bit, and conveniently ran into my new boss on her way in. She showed me my new desk (which is unfortunately temporary, as it's right by a window), gave me a paper describing how to setup my computer, and asked me to wait until another person came in to actually show me what to do. Well, the computer took a few seconds, and I've read all the papers that happened to be sitting on my desk (no idea if they're meant for me). Since then, I've just been waiting. Over an hour.
I met the guy who's desk is next to mine, he seems very nice. A few other folks have given me curious glances, but mostly the office is still pretty empty. It's 10:20am!
Maybe this isn't far off from grad school after all....
Thursday, December 07, 2006
And Now For Something Completely Different
Yesterday did not start well. I slept in a little, and cut myself shaving, and couldn't find any hot water for a shower, and the glass was half empty, and cracked, and I cut my lip on it, and chipped a tooth.
However, once I was awake and moving, I had to get into the city for an interview with Conde Nast. Now, I know what you're thinking; "Conde Nast? The magazine publisher?" Yes, the very same. I was offered a position as a producer of the websites that accompany the magazines! I've been fiddling with websites for years, but never really considered it a career. Even in this job, though, I won't be coding much (there's a whole design team for that), but I'll be producing. What this means is a little unclear to me at the moment, but I think it mainly involves checking everything over to make sure it'll look right on the screen, clearing everything with the magazine, and finally taking the website live for the world to see.
Not something I ever would have thought I'd be doing. But, I do enjoy playing with websites, and getting paid for it hardly seems a burden! I'm starting as a temporary hire, until I can learn their system and gain some experience. With some hard work, I'll be able to step into a permanent position in a few months.
And all of this is because I sped across the country to meet my aunt for drinks. Go figure.
It'll take some time for all the paper shuffling to occur, but hopefully I'll be starting next week!
Oh, and I still haven't heard back from that other company. It's been almost a week. If they offer me more, I'll probably still go with them. But at this rate, I don't know if I'll ever heard back from them....
However, once I was awake and moving, I had to get into the city for an interview with Conde Nast. Now, I know what you're thinking; "Conde Nast? The magazine publisher?" Yes, the very same. I was offered a position as a producer of the websites that accompany the magazines! I've been fiddling with websites for years, but never really considered it a career. Even in this job, though, I won't be coding much (there's a whole design team for that), but I'll be producing. What this means is a little unclear to me at the moment, but I think it mainly involves checking everything over to make sure it'll look right on the screen, clearing everything with the magazine, and finally taking the website live for the world to see.
Not something I ever would have thought I'd be doing. But, I do enjoy playing with websites, and getting paid for it hardly seems a burden! I'm starting as a temporary hire, until I can learn their system and gain some experience. With some hard work, I'll be able to step into a permanent position in a few months.
And all of this is because I sped across the country to meet my aunt for drinks. Go figure.
It'll take some time for all the paper shuffling to occur, but hopefully I'll be starting next week!
Oh, and I still haven't heard back from that other company. It's been almost a week. If they offer me more, I'll probably still go with them. But at this rate, I don't know if I'll ever heard back from them....
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
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