new york, new york

I should probably write something about NYC...

...and kind of can't believe that I haven't done so yet.

I don't know if it's that my head is in a better place this time around, or that I've already done the big new scary city thing once before, or what, but I adore this city.

From the second I arrived, without my luggage, I adored it. Sitting in the Sunflower Cafe, in downtown Manhattan, with the rain pouring down and two guys who spoke like George Costanza sitting behind me,

I loved it.

And I still do.

I love that there are coffee stands on every corner, and it's a ritual to buy your morning coffee from your regular 'coffee guy' (mine calls me sweetie).

I love that everyone has a favorite Deli.

I love that everyone here is SO nice. I've had random conversations with so many people. And I love that I can do that.

I love that if you are lost on the subway, people will help you. Groups of people, shouting across the train, organizing the best route for you.

I love that every day I interchange trains at a subway station that has a Roy Lichtenstein commission in it.

I love that every day I feel like I'm walking through a movie set (and half the time I am).

I love that there is a fantastic bookshop on (practically) every corner, and an equally awesome bar or cafe across from it.

I love it.

I know that the subway will eventually get to me, that I'll get sick of the sound of sirens, and winter will be cold and feel like it's never going to end. I know it's only been three weeks...

...but right now, I think that this city is amazing. And I'm trying to force myself to remember this. To remember what it feels like to be completely infatuated with something.

My life here, thus far, has been amazing.

And you should probably get on a plane and come to visit me soon.

bye bye big smoke, hello big apple

I swear that I did desperately try to write something here several times. But then it just got to the point where too much had happened and it was impossible to start in the middle. The ending just wouldn't make any sense.

So, to quickly recap:

I've been to Croatia, Hungary and Poland.

I had a really great time and was (as always) charmed in the least likely places.

I had a fantastic last day in London, complete with a Hans Bellmar exhibition and ending with a final curry at the 'Diana Cafe' on Brick Lane with Jacey.

I arrived safely back in Calgary, without getting charged a cent for my massively overweight luggage.

I saw all of my great Calgary pals, and got to meet the adorable baby of my friends Justan and Lindsay for the first time (hi Neko!).

I had a great week, full of beautiful blue skied days, visiting with my friends and family back home on the prairies.

I left for New York on Wednesday, October 11th, not knowing whether or not I would actually be allowed into the country to work.

But I was.

My luggage is still in Canada somewhere. Or in the sky. Or in NY - It's a mystery at this point, but I'm here. In New York City.

And all I know is that I had better get my luggage soon, because if I have to wear my baggy, saggy plane-softened clothes to The Slipper Room tomorrow night, there's going to be hell to pay.