All The Things!

Well. I'm still here. Still putting one foot in front of the other. It's been about 10 months since I made my move to NYC and some how... miraculously. I am still here. Alive. Breathing. Thriving? Maybe. That remains to be seen. 

I was reminded tonight of why I came here. When you live in New York, your sense of personal space needs to be thrown out the window. There isn't room. There is no real privacy. Most people wear earbuds or head phones just to get through it. Just to not be bothered. So here I am with a giant man's chest in my face, hoping not to swallow his tie, and I see it. The Q train slowly makes it's turn north just after Queensboro Plaza Station and I see the sun as it starts to set. As the train moves the silhouette of the Chrysler Building comes into view. It slowly slides to the south when it's bigger iconic brother comes up from behind... the Empire State Building. And in a that moment, I didn't care that the giant's phone was practically up my nose. I remembered. I remembered why I love it here. And I smiled, inside and out. 

It's as if this gamble of mine could actually, eventually pay off. This grand city may punch me square in the nose from time to time. But, while it does that, it also seems to pat me on the back and make me feel welcome. Like anything is possible. And it is. 

I want "ALL THE THINGS". In fact, I have already done a lot. My good friend Michael put things in

 perspective for me a few weeks ago. He mentioned that he was watching a TV show. Anthony Bourdain, I think. On the show he was talking to a musician in another country. He asked the musician what is one thing he wants to do in his life. The musician replied, "Play a show in New York City". I would imagine there are millions of musicians who want the same thing. I have already done that, multiple times. I'm lucky. There are also millions upon millions of people who want to visit New York. I live here. I'm not bragging, really. I am living a dream that millions wish they could (and some will!). 

No matter where I am, if I see the Empire State Building I stop and look up (and probably take a picture). It reminds me of how unreal it is to be living here. I'm grateful. And, I am hopeful. And, from time to time squashed between a giant and a Chinaman waiting to get off and catch the 7 train.