New York

I had business in NY last week, so I got to spend a couple of days in the city.  It's the first time I've been back since Ally and I lived there in 07.  I had forgotten how much I love that place.  The differences between NY and LA are stark, which I knew, but this was the most apparent it's ever been to me, probably because up until the last three years I hadn't really spent a lot of time in LA.  But now that I've put man hours in each place, I'm beginning to understand why Biggie and Tupac were at odds.

For one thing, people in NY are a lot nicer than folks in LA (I know, I'm painting with pretty broad strokes here).  I've long thought New Yorkers have a bad rap when it comes to friendliness.  Perhaps it's because they live right on top of each other and are forced to interact so much while walking on the streets, riding in the subway, etc.  All I know is that my experience has always been that New Yorkers will readily engage you and are generally helpful when needed.  I've made quite a few friends while riding the subway, and even exchanged phone numbers with a guy last week who wanted me to give him a call next time I'm in town.

LA I think suffers from the opposite problem.  People never having to interact while out of the home.  No one walks anywhere, yards are small and neighborhoods are crowded so you rarely see neighbors out in the yard playing with kids or chatting with the guy next door.  I think people sit in traffic all day and just want to go into their homes at day end and not be bothered.

Another contrast is the general style of the two cities.  In NY people are very individualistic, but stylish non the less.  There is an ease to the look of those in the city- shoes are warn from walking, and clothes looked lived in.  In LA, whether Angeleno's want to believe it or not, the look is very homogeneous, especially among women.  Very immaculate, very expensive, often synthetic, and usually overdone.  I don't know that one is better than the other, just different (though I prefer the latter to the former).

That all said, LA has way better weather, and I think the opportunity for a better lifestyle is here in La La Land.  Still, it was great to be back for a few days.  Love that NY!

Grond Zero.  Can't believe it's been nine years today

Out old apt- 100 John St.

The old Lehman building, now Barclays blue.