“Everybody ought to have a Lower East Side in their life.” —Irving Berlin
I certainly have no clever title here or much tie into the picture, however, I did want to take sometime to reflect on Florida and it's New Yorkers. And it's boats. Which seem to have sort of correlation I haven't figured out just yet. Having in my 42 years lived in most parts of the country, which I feel extremely blessed, I've been able to take in its diverse culture. Florida is a hodgepodge and I love it. There is a lot to take in, observe and learn. Most especially the Haitian culture which is prevalent here much like the Somalian and Hmong immigrants in St. Paul. I know nothing about this country and it's a shame and a homework assignment for plain cultural awareness and also being able to understand the students I work with better.
I do however, know New Yorkers. And oh how I have missed these people.
It seems that Florida is where they flock when, like me, the cold becomes what they say...bullshit. Or they come to get and/or stay sober. Also like me. There is an amazing recovery community here which, for me, is imperative in living a happy, joyous and free life.
You always know where you stand, literally or figuratively with a New Yorker. There is no end of conversation or run on sentences. They could be talking about finding a primer parking spot at Five Guys Burger and it become a 15 minute story that inevitably ends no where I expected. But I dig it so most of the time I listen and walk away dizzy with what my friends in Minnesota would call TMI. I digress, it's a lot like listening to David Sedaris who is one of my favorite writers that frequently reads his work on NPR. It's also random yet not random so unless I tired and hungry, it's fine by me. I would also say it reminds me a Neil Simon play too. Which I grew up watching, when I was young and would head to New York for a visit with my dad. To this day a favorite memory. Good ole childhood nostalgia.
After our conversations I usually am invited on their boat. Even if I just met them say right before a meeting or at work. To me this seems rather intimate. Being stuck in the middle of the ocean with a stranger but after getting used to the invitation, I realize it's just life in the city tropical style. A difference is comfort zones and definition of family. That's cool.
Thus far, I've only taken one trip out on a boat for deep sea fishing. A first. It was awesome til it wasn't because of how rough the waters were and how much I wanted to projectile vomit everywhere.
I'm sure I'll have more to write as the days pass....right now I'm hungry, tired which makes me cranky as a New York taxi driver stuck in traffic on the Lower East Side:)
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Saturday, August 26, 2017
{A Slight Breeze}
"Tonight, once more, life sinks its teeth into my heart"-Simone de Beauvior
And Ode to the Bokeh and Breeze, the flowers and trees. Thank you for making me so happy.
And Ode to the Bokeh and Breeze, the flowers and trees. Thank you for making me so happy.
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