My 2nd week in NYC started off pretty good. On Saturday, I moved in with Kristen. She's got a cute little studio in East Harlem. It's been good. She's been a great host, and so far sleeping on the couch 2 feet away from her bed has been fine.

On Sunday we, along with 2 of Kristen's friends, went to Fire Island. It's an island that runs along the southern coast of Long Island. No cars are allowed, so the only way to reach it is by ferry. So, we got up early Sunday morning, took the a 2 hr. train ride to Bay Shore in Long Island, then caught a 30 minute ferry to the beach. The part we went to was called Ocean Beach. When you first arrive, you walk off the ferry to this cute little village, and racks and racks of locked-up wagons. Apparently everyone on the island has a wagon, and uses it to transport everything and anything.

One of the girls with us asked some "locals" where the beach was. They gave us directions, and said "There will be a beach to your left, and another to your right. The one on the right will have a lot more people, because it's the drinking beach." We, of course, chose that one...even though i was fairly nervous about drinking on beach, after reading the signs saying NO EATING, NO DRINKING, NO GLASS - $500 fine. However, everyone around us seemed to think it was fine...so I gave into peer pressure. And, no ticket.

We layed out, went swimming and laughed at all the buff Long Island meatheads with funny accents. I think I saw a jellyfish. After the beach, we headed back into the village for dinner. We randomly picked a restaurant, and ended up having the lobster special, as well as Rocketfuel, the official Fire Island drink (a pina colada with a shot of amaretto poured over it.) Of course the one girl who had a hamburger, and wasn't wearing a lobster bib, was the one person who kept getting hit with flying lobster bits and juice.

After dinner, we got got back on the ferry to head back to the train, just as the sun started to set. I tried to take a picture, but some woman stepped into my frame, just as I snapped the shot. It was a fun day, although I think we'll have to find a closer beach....5 hours traveling was pretty rough.

First Day of Work

I made the commute to work today, and was only 5 minutes late. Unfortunately, I'd been planning a coffee and a bagel on the way, and because I was late, I didn't want to stop. It wouldn't have been a big deal, because I could have just run back out to one of the little carts after 30 minutes or so...but at about 10:30am, it started POURING rain. I swear I think there was a lightning bolt right outside our window. So...no coffee for me. And, I was starving by the time lunch rolled around. So...tomorrow, I'm leaving 10 minutes earlier.

I had a decent weekend. I went out with Kristen to a dinner party at one of her friend's house on Friday. Drank Brooklyn lager, and talked to a lot of people from Oklahoma. Then on Saturday, I went to a METS game. A friend of mine from LA is in NYC working on Top Chef, and had the day off, so some local PAs he's befriended invited him to the game, and he invited me. It was fun, and kind of historic since they are tearing down Shea Stadium this year to build a bigger one. I didn't actually watch much of the game...but I did see a Marlins fan get thrown out for getting alittle out-of-control(as security came to take him away, everyone in the stands around us pointed at him and chanted "asshole"). After the game, we went to a Putt-Putt place right by the stadium where they had cheaper beer, and played a game of golf. I totally kicked ass.

Overall, nothing too exciting, but a good way to kick-off my stay.

Little Old New York

Welp...a new adventure(hopefully!) has started. I'm starting my 6-month stay(give or take a few weeks) in NYC!! Writing it down, it's really dawned on me how long that is.

The flight from LA was long, but good. I flew Virgin America, so I had my own personal TV. You have to pay for movies, but TV is free...so I watched some music videos, 3 episodes of Top Chef(randomly, I saw Whitney's name in the credits. she's the girl I'm staying with right now), an episode of Ghost Hunters, and finally finished up with America's Best Dance Crew. I also caved in and bought some food...but it was pretty good and probably worth it.

As we were flying into NYC, there were thunderstorms in the distance. The lightning was crazy. I really wanted to take a picture of it...but the fasten seatbelt sign was on and my camera was in the overhead compartment.

The cab ride was easy. $40 and some change, although after tipping it was $50. The cabbie was nice though, and stopped the meter a little early because we got stuck behind an ambulance that was parked in the middle of the street. We had to back up down the street and go around the block.

Tomorrow, I'm getting up early and taking the train into the city with Whitney. Then, I guess I'll go buy a map, and a metro card, and wander around until it's time for me to meet up with Michalene(my new boss). Tomorrow night I'm supposed to meet up with Kristen and go to a dinner party...so that should be fun.

I'm excited, but nervous too. And...feeling alittle homesick for Silverlake, and my house...although Whitney's apartment is in a basement, and has linoleum floors, so I feel kind of at home. But, I'm sure as soon as it's daylight, I'm not tired from traveling all day, and I start doing stuff...everything will be fun and exciting.

I'm going to bed now. More soon!