The reason I am writing right now is there is very loud music outside my house and I can't hear much, so tv related activities are out of the question. Honestly, in Portland I would be able to call the cops and they would come and shut it down. Here if I called the cops (not that I would) I think their response would be "Yah, we'll get to that right after we solve all the murders and robberies". But you know, I should embrace it since it keeps property values down and subsequently, my rent. Not to mention the crash course in the NY hip hop scene, which is honestly not a bad thing. I'm debating going to Coney Island tomorrow, but I'm still short on funds, so we'll see. I went to the Guggenheim last night with JLE and her boyfriend. Actually we ended up only running into each other and not actually being there together, but I'm sure I'll have plenty more opportunities to see miss Lena. Unfortunately they are working on the biggest rennovation ever on the facade of the Gugg. and the entire building is covered so I didn't even get to see it. If you're not familiar with the structure it is a Frank Lloyd Wright design, and one of his best, IMO. Anyway, I was as excited about seeing the outside as the inside, so that kinda sucked, but it'll reopen at the end of the year. The art, though, was fantastic. I was speechless, and could have spent hours staring at some of the picasso's an kandinskys. There was a Van Gogh, also, that was small but exquisite. It was of the entrance to a brick tunnel. I really enjoyed some of the abstracts, which surprised me. One of the major shows was Neo-impressionism, a movement I'm not really familiar with, but it contained a lot of pointilism (the dot method). There was also one of the well-known degas ballerina pictures. It was honestly one of the most exciting experiences of my life. A highlight for sure. Here are some of the works I saw
Gaetano Previati: Dance of the hours
Renoir
Vassily Kandinsky
Pablo picasso above
Renoir below
And Robert Delaunay.
Anyway, you'll be happy to know I had a brief bout of homesickness and almost threw in the towel, but my parents talked me out of it (guilted is more like it). I think things just got to me. I am broke, and they are being dicks about my stipend since PSU hasn't sent my degree yet, it is really hot here and my neighbors can be loud, even at night, I was having trouble sleeping, I didn't know where anything was, I was having doubts about whether this was what I wanted to do, and I think I just missed everyone. After an entire night not sleeping from worry I almost got on a plane. After going to the Guggenheim I realize what a terrible mistake that would have been. Not only is this a great opportunity, but it's a great opportunity that will lead to other opportunities. It will mean chances to fulfill other dreams. I will be able to finally go to Thailand, and pretty much any other place I want. I will be able to visit many of the other important American cities since many of them are close by. I will be able to go to Florida and bake in the sun. I will be able to go to Canada, eh. I will be able to buy a home and start building equity. I will be able to buy a car (which is really only ridiculous if you live in Manhattan). I will be able to pay off my meager credit card debt. I will be able to start my life.
Anyway, my neighborhood, other than being loud, is alright. Not the best I could have hoped for, not the worst. There are TONS of tiny eateries with cheap food, two grocery stores within 3 blocks, a Rite-Aid, a post office, furniture stores, and don't even get me started on the clothes. There are great clothing stores just down the street from my house. I am in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, and it's alright. I think I have fallen in love with an area called Jamaica in queens, though. So stay tuned to see if I move there. I'll sign off for tonight because I just don't feel like writing anymore (it's later here, remember) but I'll keep you updated with more pictures an what not. If you didn't catch the first batch, here's the link to the album:
NYC album
