Tickled and Awed
Okay, this has not been the greatest week. Hence the downer blog entries. Sorry about that, folks--but when the shizzle is going down,you stand with an umbrella and keep the cameras rolling. First rule of reportage. AND we are all in the soup together, right? RIGHT?? In all this down and outness, I neglected to mention some good things. Even when you are having PERSONAL PROBLEMS, New York still gives you PLENTY of opportunities to be WOWED and EXALTED by its magic. On Tuesday night they shut down Fifth Avenue--The Museum Mile--and opened the museums to the public FOR FREE. I went with Graham and my co-worker, Michelle, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see two shows in particular: British fashion and the Susan Sontag influenced photography exhibit. Graham remembered that the roof of the museum was open, and said we should make an effort to go there. OH MY GOODNESS, I am SO GLAD we did!
There have been many times in New York, where I will come upon a place and be so TICKLED and AWED by something, that I feel myself become like a six year old kid. My mouth hangs wide open, and I can't stop saying: WOOOOOOOOWWWWWW! Over and over again. Being on the roof of the Met, was one such moment. The view is nothing short of spectacular. You are high above Central Park, seeing the thick green trees, and then the amazing skyline of Manhattan. As it happened, it was a particularly beautiful evening, with a rich pattern of silky clouds. The light was a wonderful mixture of gold, blue, and white. Oh yeah, and there was some art up there too, but WHO CARED, when you can see rooftop gardens across the street and a sunset that takes your breath away.
I had Michelle take my picture, because I'm realizing that I have pictures of everybody else enjoying my favorite moments, but none of me. I want more pictures of me in my happiest New York moments, so that I can look and say: I WAS THERE! REMEMBER THAT?
This morning I was feeling down, so I got off the subway early and walked with graham to another subway stop farther dpwn the way. It;s going to be a hot one today, and so the morning was beautiful with sun soaking the sidewalks and cafes. We walked through one o fmy new favorite parts of New York, near by Gramarcy Park, and discovered yet ANOTHER landmark, the Poetry Society of America. Today, I am going to keep these discoveries in my heart, like a piece of faith that reminds me, no matter how hard life can be at times, you can still turn a corner and be surprised and delighted.
posted by Summer Pierre at
10:23 AM
2 Comments:
I lived at the Gramercy park Hotel in '83 for 1 month while waiting for my place to be ready. I sat at the front litte bar one nite waiting for a friend, and there was Papa John [after he had kicked drugs and was back touring with his daughter ] - he looked old and worn out, but I said, {I was about25 or so] "Are you papa John?" - is eyes just sparkeed it was like he had been remembered, nad by someone younger. I told him I loved his harmonies and music, and always would. I told him we had to learn Cal. Dreamin' for choir in 8th grade -he laughed [cringed maybe?] but he bought me a drink. It was cool. Anyway, seeing the word Gramercy brought back memoris. Did you know the Wicked With of the West [of the Wiz. of Oz original movie] lived on the park, in the house with the first water operated elevator...I used to eat at Pete's tavern a lot - is it still there?
You bet Pete's Tavern is still there! It's the place that O. henry made famous!
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