I’m kinda a fully-fledged local now. I know what to tip people. I do not tolerate slow walkers: “Keep it movin’ people!”. Street vendors don’t try and lure me in to buy stuff because I no longer look like an impressionable tourist. I actually roll my eyes at touristy stuff now (only because I have already got it all out of my system). When the barista acknowledges me by saying “What’s good?” I am no longer startled. When we walk by Emrata’s baby daddy I resist my urge to heckle the cheating jerk because we are just a couple of locals going about our days. Again, keep it movin’ people!
—
Overheard exchange from a couple on a date:
The guy places his jacket over the girl’s shoulders. The girl unimpressed, pokes fun of the cheesy move.
The guy: “Oh that’s some A Walk to Remember shit right there… Death Cab For Cutie playing in the background… I thought that was good!”
—
I’m sitting with my legs crossed on the bed in our pretend East Village apartment. I washed my fringe in the sink because I was too lazy to wash all of my hair. I got my hair blown-out a few days ago at a hair salon and I have been riding a fine line between getting my money’s worth and being a total slob.
—
We started our morning with coffee. We walked down our street, St Marks Place, and visited a coffee shop called Porto Rico. I have been there twice now. It is a family owned business that was established in 1907. I made the mistake of (but also loved) ordering a large-sized almond milk cappuccino and forgot I was in America. It was massive and made me feel like Mary-Kate Olsen carrying around her large Starbucks coffee in the mid-2000s.
—
Today was one of my favourite days in New York so far. We saw Funny Girl at the August Wilson Theatre. As a closeted Gleek, I was thriving. Glee hasn’t aged very well but it was the show circa 2009. During this time, I was working at an ice-cream parlour after school and I refused to work Thursday nights because that’s when Glee aired. Rachel Berry was my favourite character because she made me feel seen as a dramatic brunette with a deviated septum. I actually haven’t watched the series since it originally aired, so in my mind it is still this magical show that made my teen years more bearable. As you can imagine, I was beyond excited to see Lea Michele in the flesh. We’ve all got our problematic faves and mine is Lea Michele. Don’t rain on my parade.
The New York weather is rather unpredictable so after eating our breakfast, we headed back to the apartment to add some extra layers. We then started making our way to the August Wilson Theatre. We decided to walk there instead of catching the subway. While it would take much longer, it would allow us to explore more of the city. The weather changed again while we were walking and it wasn’t long before my warm jacket was hanging over my arm. When we arrived at the theatre, I was shocked at how long the line was to get in. The theatre was dazzling and electric. The lobby lit up by a chandelier. The warm tones of the carpet and walls made the theatre feel cozy and old-timey. We had really good seats, close to the front of the stage. I was happy that we booked the tickets for this day because I was rested enough to appreciate it. Before the show started, a voiceover in a very thick New Yorker accent, told everyone to turn their phones off. Turns out, as Tim pointed out in the Playbill, it is actually against the law to film during a performance. I was pleased and relieved. All that was required of me was to remain present and enjoy the show.
Lea Michele enters the stage. She says, “Hello, Gorgeous!”. The crowd applauds. I cry.
I thought about how cool it was to be seeing Lea Michele in her prime, in her dream role. I couldn’t help but notice the parallels between Fanny and Lea. Both new mothers, trying to balance home and career. The stage design transported me to the early 1900s in New York City. I felt like I was watching real-life events unfold in front of me, which I think can be difficult to pull off in a live show. The whole cast was incredible. As the show ended and the cast took a bow (Hey Siri, play Take a Bow, Rachel Berry’s Version) Lea appreciated the applause but appeared humbled by it. No ego, just genuine gratitude.
It was special. And being a part of something special makes you special, right?
The theatre was a very well-oiled machine, with bathroom attendants managing the line to the ladies bathroom. The line went up multiple staircases and many people were concerned they wouldn’t make it to their seats in time for the show. The employees assured them they knew what they were doing and that the intermission was timed so that everyone could go to the bathroom and make it back in time for the show. I got impatient and went to the men’s bathroom, which was progressive of me, and also foolish. Seeing a bunch of grown men peeing in urinals is an image I will unfortunately never forget.
—
Last night we went to see Alex G perform at Brooklyn Steel. Hatchie was the opening act. This was our second time at this venue after seeing Bebadoobee there on our first night in New York. We arrived a little late and could hear Hatchie singing This Enchanted as we were walking in. When Alex G was on stage, there were these guys dancing in front of us who I was secretly jealous of. They were so free and confident. Hands in the air, rolling their hips, jumping up and down. One of them even put sunglasses on during the show as he danced to the beat. It was as if they were driving down Sunset Boulevard, top down, with the wind blowing in their hair. Complete bliss. Total freedom. There I was, in a city where nobody knew who I was and I was still mildly self-conscious as I bopped along to each song. After the show, as we were walking home, I said to Tim “Did you see those guys dancing in front of us?” “Uhh yeah, they were on ecstasy” I couldn’t believe it. I thought they were high on life and lit from within but they were on ECSTASY. Good for them and good for me. Even the most seemingly confident people need some extra help sometimes.
Overheard after the gig: “And there were these MILLENNIALS behind us”
(Said in the same tone as the “And they were ROOMMATES!” Vine)
As I heard this, I was paranoid my millennial was showing, like it was a rash that should be hidden under long sleeves.
—
Tim and I left Domino Park how we arrived, each tucked under our tiny umbrella. I took an unflattering picture of us from a low angle as we walked. “I want to remember this moment” I said.
—
We ate lunch at a vegan butcher called Garden Carver. We ordered at the counter: truffle Mac and cheese, a meatball sub and a cheesy melt. Tim was just about to pay, when I suddenly yelled “STOP! WAIT!”, lodging my body in front of him like I was saving him from a gunshot. The waitress and Tim looked at me confused. “I want to order a cappuccino!” I softly added. “Sorry, that was a bit dramatic” I said. I told Tim I wanted the caffeine hit so I was awake for the gig that night. “It’s tomorrow night” Tim said. Oh well, the coffee was good and the weather made the perfect setting for a cozy cappuccino. The restaurant played Landslide by Fleetwood Mac and John Mayer’s live cover of Free Fallin’. Were they trying to make me have an existential crisis!?
—
It was a lovely, slow afternoon. Another version of New York we got to experience. Wandering around to bookstores. Browsing card racks for quirky designs. Surrendering to the humidity ruining my hair. “Your wife is beautiful” the cleaning lady in our building said to Tim as we waited for the elevator. I’m not sure why Tim gets credit for my beauty, but I’ll let him have it.
