Feeling Groovy (the 59th street bridge song)

I was afraid that it wasn't going to live up to it's expectations. I've idolized New York City for so long that there was no way it was going to live up to the hype I had created in my mind. As I flew out of IAH two Sundays ago, I prepared myself that there was no way that it could be what I thought it was. And as we flew into JFK with no visibility because of the cold rain, I told myself that it was a dirty city and that the rain probably wouldn't wash it clean but make it dirtier. And so I stepped off the plane exhausted, cold, and annoyed that I was going to have to lay down 50+ dollars for a cab ride.

And something felt different. There was an energy surrounding me. I'm still not sure what it was/is. I was in NEW YORK. I bravely followed the signs to the exit and towards the cab line. I bravely talked to a stranger to make sure I was doing the whole cab thing right. She was nice! She didn't try and sell me drugs or lure me into a brothel (which sounds completely ridiculous, but remember I was trying to DOWNPLAY NYC), she even offered to share a cab (but she heard wrong and thought I said 42nd and Broadway when I actually said 142nd and Broadway so we were unable to). And I got on the cab and drove to Manhattan from Queens, the entire time face pressed against the glass in an attempt to see as much as possible and chattering away to the Bff about how I could SEE nothing, but I felt SOMETHING.

And I found New York to be magical. It gave me so much bravery. I went to a professional New York audition. I did great! I didn't get called back. I was FINE! That's the business I am in! I rode a subway from Harlem to the Villiage! I ate Ethiopian food! And oh the things I saw. I fell into bed every night completely exhausted from the amount of things that I had attempted to cram into each precious day I was there.

I saw the regular stuff like Times Square and 5th Avenue and all it's craziness and treasures, the Museum of Natural History, Central Park, but I also saw a lot of completely fabulous and random stuff too. I got to see Bleecker Street which has always been a dream because of Simon and Garfunkel's song "Bleecker Street."

I got to go to the amazing Museum of Moving Image where I was able to play to my hearts desire with everything from green screens to flip books. I ate at a restaurant that was in Garden State. I trespassed (just a little) in Brooklyn.

And now I can't wait to go back. I miss the bustle of the people and the public transportation. I miss being with friends 24/7. I want to put away the camera and the "Hi I'm a Tourist" sticker and just BE there. I want to continue to live my life bravely. I want to feel groovy.