Nick in NY

Go out with a bang

2007-09-14T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well my time in New York ended suddenly and - shock horror - I'm writing this from home soil. I've been back since August and my blog took a back seat other stuff. But really - there's a lot to report on and a lot of pictures to share. I had a glorious last month packed chock full of it bit's enough to make any traveler proud. Forgive the cliché but it's only in hindsight that I realize how much fun I had.

So - as usual I'm just going to take cues from my photos and piece together the last few weeks I had in beautiful New York, New York.

f*ck yeah

Georgie's last night in town.

It got a little messy - but it was all worth it.

I had fun.

Summer was in full swing by this time and the pride parade was on this very hot sunny (dare I say Barhmy) Saturday in the city. It was surprising how many churches had floats - compared to something like the mardigra where novelty is much more of a focus..new york seemed to make it a community organization based parade...kinda cool

I had a great day - My cousins friend Shamus had a small gathering in his apartment - which over looked the end of the parade. There was something very New York about sitting on a rickidy fire escape waving at all the neighbours and staring at the streamers and confetti and bubble flying past in the sunshine. All this plus beers and the entertainment going on below...sigh. Was nice.

I was also lucky enough to around for July 4th Celebrations - spent the day hanging out with friends at the pool hall and soaking up the joy of American independence. While generally goofing around with Danny et al...

PS1 is a huge gallery out in Queens where all the kids go on the weekend to sit in the sun and drink beer. I was told it's the place where everybody that lives in Manhattan that doesn't have a holiday house in the Hampton's goes to cool off and get out of the city. It's kind of like a normal outdoor festival in Australia with not as many people - but that's exciting in New York.

Each year they have a batch of young architect's design the outside pavilion - this year it was these huge pole supported structures that spewed water all over the crowd spiratically. Made for some very angry hipsters with busted phones and a fun vibe..

The gallery is the brain child of MoMA (museum of modern art). How could you resist live bands - sprinklers and beer outside a pretty toff contemporary gallery?

It's called PS1 because it's a renovated public school (all public schools are given a number for a name..gives it more character don't you think? 'I go to PS34' - 'oh yeah? I go to PS35!')

We each other with our left hand while the sprinklers dribbled on the paper.

I bought new shoes. These Nike's set me back 40 bucks...amazing. So amazing - I got naked...

Here's a really cool little sculpture in the front window of a Hari Krishna commune - displaying the stages of life. I like it how the man gets money when he's old and his back is hunched over...as if to say whats the use of having that money in your old age? Deep - Krishnas - deep

I also went to some great dinner parties in midtown with a bunch of my Australian friends..playing boardgames with friends in a NYC apartment made me feel like I was inside a sitcom. how bizarre - how bizarre

Here's a sign in West village (where I was living for my last month and a bit)

I couldn't decide weather it's authentic..I think it is. Dirty flying Frenchmen and there bombs...

I had a very inspiring trip to the Mother museum - MoMA

It's was amazing.

So the main part of my last few weeks in NYC - I committed to having as much fun with all of the friends I made (aww) but shutup....it's true. In fact I have the following photography to prove it...

My lovely work mates shouted me a delicious dinner and it was the perfect send off.

goodbye drinks

Katie at her brand new house in Willy Burg

Caroline - my favorite Brit. She's alright.

woah!

I'm coming back to New York - because I love New York - New York taught me a lot - showed me a lot and I learned a lot about my self. When I come back I'll start with a better position too which will make everything a whole lot less torturous. Leaving New York has only strengthened my love and need for it - garbage bags, feral cats, Americans and all.

I didn't want to go home - but the cookie crumbles in mysterious ways...or something

Doing a magnum on the way to the airport...

For now I'm home. Planning the trip back to the mother land. But loving being with friends again and being able to celebrate my 21st (which I'll blog about later) in Melbourne. And Melbourne ain't too shabby. See?

what should I call the blog?

The Second Coming

2007-09-13T23:59:00.000-07:00

It's been a while - a long while.

I'm not in New York and more - for a bunch of reasons. But I do have a bunch of stories left to tell.

I've put aside some time this weekend to update the blog on my doings these past months.

Sweet.

it was the best of times, it was the blurst of times: a million years of news

2007-06-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

Just thinking about all the things I need to include in this long-awaited post makes me exhausted. I’ve said that before but it’s true – it really is. There has been so much that’s gone on since I last posted I don't know where to begin. Highs – Lows – Up’s & Downs – Round and Roud’s and loop di loops. So I'm throwing chronological order to the wind and giving you a sporadic injection of it's bits and pieces of my last few turbulent weeks in New York. I know the narrative of my blogs is going down hill – but there’s more photos. And you can read Dan’s blog now too. www.myspace.com/peepdelta

Again – the train through queens

Heres a bullet point run down.

- I'm moving house after much drama trying to get my bond back from my room mate. Have to crash at friend’s places until I find the next hole to squaller in. Let me pray to my Mary mother of grace that I find somewhere for July - I've possibly got somewhere for August. (my 21st!)

I saw Chicago on Broadway w Georgie (it was great)

Danielle's arrived (this girl)

Hello?

We had a lot of catching up to do.

Ah piles of garbage and white trash.

I saw Kings of Leon (with Danny and the gang)

It was Emil’s Birthday at work. Orr Emil had his roo flooded on the morning of his birthday so we thought we should sooth the pain with a gigantic (and delicious) ice cream cake.

The MSLK Launch party was a success - delish food, good turn out...and too many beers

Um they were shooting a music video in QUEENS? Juh?

But the hoes they were filming were hot. Damn Hot.

Georgie is leaving tomorrow - but she luckily had some time with her mum in an apartment in Manhattan - she was getting a little tired or mice droppings on her pillow and visits from feral cats at night (not to mention the crumbling roof that dispelled dust on our faces as we slept) Luxury

Anez and Georgie in Time Square after Chicago.

I'll miss her when she’s gone. I’m also missing my best mate Elise’s 21st birthday. Which sucks.

Heres a video of Georgie and I at my local eating hole (Moto) They’ve got great live bands and good food and piss.

Oh and we ran into Helen and Kate while we were there. Helen likes to chew on my bone. I mean bones. She sucks em dry. Moto has good roast chicken..

- Uni work has been driving me crazy (have had no time with all the drama)

So crazy in fact that I got 'Pink eye' that still hasn't fully healed....mmm I always look a little bit stoned…

- I saw Feist play at town hall (with Ellen - it was incredible.) SHe was sweet and did great versions of her track and there was a choir and a tap dancer and little funny chats with the audience. I. Love. Her.

MINE!

Street theatre in East Village

George and I went and saw this amazing French industrial designer house that is mobile - more photos to come...

Work Mates Ellens Housewarming drinks - we painted that wall red (Jason, Ellen, me)

Josh and I on Hellen's roof

Greenpoint sunset

Floating hats on the subway. Clever.

Katie and I getting lost in the expanse of Queens

First fried chicken dinner – mmmm it was finger licking good

My new Bike

Shoes on a bin. I though of Gannon.

Hear no Evil

Mark with the Cats at MSLK

Danny and Lou Lou Lou

Billboard painting

And here is one of my pillars of strength , Jules. She's just nabbed a great new job and is returning to Oz to sort out her visa today. I may stay at her’s while she's away to tie me over while I struggle in residential purgatory. But kudos to Julia - she's been very kind. Clicks for Jules. Even in this picture she was treating me to a chocolate and nut covered banana.

Just for my sake - I want to document when times haven't been so hot. Cause it's all part of it - I can honestly say that shit that's happened has changed the way I tick. Now I tock.

No bond back? No house? Mice!

That fateful day. Me and my thoughts on the train...

any way

Helen had a birthday Party - I tattooed everyone. Sheeee?

RANDOM PHOTOS:

Walking with Georgie

AT the queens beer garden for some eastern European Fun

Nick and Andrew - concerned about something

Nick, Rich et al - at a surprise party in a swanky penthouse in the upper east side.

Danny doing her business...on the street

I do.

Gary's studio Party in Tribeca. My hair piece only just stayed on.

Luke Harry has just arrived – only just heard his moaning voice across the line. Poor thing had a lot of dramas with his flight over. But I was so happy to hear his voice. We’ll be going out tonight and no doubt will have some adventures ahead of us.

My computer is being packed away in my bag now – and so I wont be talking to anyone for a little while. But for the first time – I’m missing my friends and family. I want some mi goreng and a walk though Fitzroy gardens – and an episode of love my way and a Carlton. But instead I have to walk through central park with a salad from Whole foods – learn a bunch of stuff about design and have the time of my life on a shoestring with a bunch of amazing people. Wait….this kinda rocks.

Hiatus

2007-06-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

I am crazy busy at the moment and the internet at home has been tempramental. I am also going to be moving house tonight - to where is unknown - but the internet and computer will be out of bounds for a week or so.

So I cant update the blog.

But I will after I'm settled - in hopefully a better room.

NL/NY

Puppy Fat

2007-05-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

The sunset on the walk home.

Well I don't feel like I've been away for almost 3 months, but it's true. It could be my hopeless memory or just the fact that I'm having so much fun that time feels like it's just melting away.... unlike my body fat. It, on the other hand, is on the rise. I've measured myself several times since arriving but after getting confused by the absence of the metric system I always gave up or forgot the figure before working out the conversion. I finally popped on the internet and low and behold - I've gain 4.5 kg's! In 2 months. Here's me in three months writing a blog titled "a Fridge too far.."

It's extra relevant because I can't afford a hair cut..and I write my blogs naked.

So I'm thinking it's time to get out the running shoes. You see - my horrible eating habits in Australia were always complimented by a ready supply of veggies and fruit - and maybe the last scraps of puberty helping my metabolism to trudge through the 5 servings of mi goreng a day. But alas - the microwave chicken nuggets / chicken wraps / Chinese take out and of the other processed sludge foods of America have finally broken the proverbial camels back. But to look on the up side - maybe now my disproportionately large head will be more in tune with my body, considering that it will be only as large as my mondo-mega belly. They'll be friends.

In other design based news, I went to see a lecture by well known designer Vince Frost about 2 weeks ago. It was great as it was my first lecture in NYC, and I got to meet people and hear about Frost design - generally soaking up what I came here for - learning stuff. He ran through some of his projects which were all inspiring - he has recently relocated his studio from London to Sydney - baffling the international design community. He showed heaps of photos of his neighbourhood in beautiful Bronti (where sister Sarah has recently moved) and raved about Australians and the weather etc. One thing, besides the work, that I loved about the lecture was when he talked about 'Try(ing) to find an idea inside a project - Never force(ing) your idea onto it'. Here's some of my favourite pieces from the lecture. I was also lucky enough to have chatted to Vince's office manager before hand - she was lovely - we swapped details and I'm going to visit the studio when I come back to oz. That's the one thing that I find most exciting about this city - the chance to meet people. All sorts.

So I have finally made a trip to a NYC museum - this weekend just past, with the lovely Julia. I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in central Park (a.k.a THE MET). Was greashhh

Pretty paintings

Thinking Halloween costume?

Although..I didn't like all the work.

(A poorly timed - self timer) Julia and I enjoying a whole food lunch in the park on a beautiful 24 degree day. Clear skies, good company (a throbbing hangover) and a great band of 70 year old Jazz musicians. Bliss? Bliss.

New York idiosyncrasy no.1

You can't drink in America till your 21 years young. (unless your crafty) It's weird and cruel. They will let you Drive - vote - even die for your country - and you can’t even have a beer. It's been really getting to me cause poor old George wasn't blessed with a birth-date as crafty as mine. And I've been hanging out with some younger people that have the same problem. So getting to the idiosyncrasy - it's that the liquor stores (that close at 9pm) - they don't sell beer. They only sell wine and Liquor (spirits). But beer gets dished out at any old bodega (milk-bar) Weird...especially with all that crazy strict law surrounding it's consumption.

My room has been a dump of late - lack of furniture has meant that piles of collected crap and garbage have been slowly growing around the only piece of furniture - my desk. See?

I know - how could something as beautiful as this blog be produced while skwatting around such an unholy mass of junk? I wonder the same thing, while throwing garbage on the ground around my desk.

The silver cup sign I see every morning on the way to work from the train...

The view of Manhattan from the 7 train.

(man walking around central park) Say it, Grandpa.

Skywriting near work.

Our Guard Cat - Pinky.

At work - it's great to get inspired by my colleagues. We have inspiration sessions every Monday - and this little doosy popped up. These men appear at Victoria Gardens Trains station in Melbourne - how cool. The first "Crete man" was actually placed at the end of Cubbitt Street in Richmond.

The "Queens" that we've put up for the party - celebrating being in Queens. Long live Queen Lizzy.

So my second celebrity spotting happened out side of the Frost lecture. This guys from OZ. (Dean WInters ) Yes - not at the super A grade yet - but I'm working on a few leads and think I may be able to groupie style some real pics this weekend. I hope.

Dean Winters plays Ryan O'Reily - for those of you who watch it.

Soon we will begin the Summer Fridays. This is apparently a done thing in NYC - were a nominated 5 Fridays or so are days off over the summer. Mine are luckily on my 21st Birthday (August 3rd) and then the day after a massive concert with Daft Punk and the Rapture. Woot! Can’t wait for the 3 day weekends. Can. Not. Wait.

Elise and I with Georgie - partying on my roof and admiring the distant view of the Island, last weekend.

Villa de-Nick

Partying with room mate Danny, friend Adirel. With wigs. Danny has a lot of wigs.

What the?

Watch this - it's relevant because it's about New York.

This is my new jacket. And another excuse to take another photo of myself.

(f*ck yeah)

Don't call me Baby.

I’m also very proud to announce the arrival of my new beautiful niece Poppy Eve Murfett McDonald.

She's currently my favorite family member. All other family members may increase their ranking by sending money or commenting this blog.

Keep writing comments, all - I'm a needy girlfriend and want your cyber affection.

NL/NY

New, Novel, Brand spanking

2007-05-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

Before I arrived at MSLK, the home office had undergone a year long renovation to transform the top floor into a small working studio. The party to celebrate it's completion (it was all finished only a week before I started) is on this week. The party has been in the works for a long time and finally the food, alcohol, music and supplies have all been gather and organized for it's unveiling.

Here's the video that was sent out showing the whole process from the same corner of the floor. If you look closely you can see me at the end sitting at my desk - gives you a better sense of the office. Enjoy..

as a side note - I had an awesome weekend. With a trip to the Met - a big bottle of Bacardi -some productive uni work - some very interesting new friends and a new jacket - but that's for another blog - another time. I know it's becoming a bit of a running theme - but I have to sleep.

Central Parkness.

2007-05-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

No time to write. Must Sleep. So shut your gobs and comment on my blog dammit. I'm blogging myself to the bone here with NO NEWS FROM HOME. I feel like I'm blogging into the ether here......so comment the bloomin blog.

Nick Elise and Georgie in Central Park

Day out in Williamsburg with the girls (nest day ever) saw heaps of store - a band rocking out on the roof of an apartment building - and other creative inspirational young type shit. Including this view of a the east river. Noice.

Also got to see Rent - finally. FINALLY - I knew every word and was thrilled to see it all on stage. Incredible. It was also great to realize that it was all set in places that I had been to (Avenue A and B etc) And yes, I had a little teary as well. To recap - I saw a broadway musical set in east village and cried with my two girlfriends. But I'm still all man.

Must sleep...will fill in the photos with captions and other goings on later....

NL/NY

Sacrilicious

2007-05-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

This is a quirky little find that was on the ground outside the Queens post office. It's wrong on so so many levels that I thought it deserved it's own post.

Nizzle Le Mizzle in Nezzle Yozzle

2007-05-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a while I know. The delays been partially caused by a weekend without a camera (and thus a feeble brain unable to recall what has happened over the past week) and partially because Uni work has reared its ugly head and has been mercilessly eating up my spare time. And it hasn't finished snacking so I'm writing this on my lunch break at work.

Carpet that covered the 'side-walk' while I was walking to get lunch from work. I got the 'beige floral' carpet treatment.

So to decipher what is blog-worthy I've sat down to create a list of the mondo mega amount of stuff that’s happened over the last, say, three weeks. I'm just going to give short descriptions and it'll all probably culminate in an antidote free - self centered blog - thoroughly devoid of all intelligent structure or witty rhetoric. But tuff titties, this is New York time.

This is the mr.whippy that circles my block and plays green sleeves and other nursery rhyme top 10's - well the trucks are clearly a front for a drug syndicate. Makes sense - I mean how much business can and icecream truck get at 9 at night? Not much. I wonder if they've got pictures?

So way back after my last post - I woke to find two feral cats sitting in my kitchen. Had to hiss them out the window - washed all the stuff just incase it had cat piddle on it. But hey - maybe they're the lesser of two evils - if I had seen two feral rats I’dve started some drama. I don’t want no drama, drama.

I have also found out that my area is actually the home town of Jay - Z and little Kim. "In his neighborhood, Carter was known as "Jazzy", a nickname which eventually developed into his stage name, "Jay-Z". The moniker is also a homage to his musical mentor Jaz-O (a.k.a. Jaz, Big Jaz) as well as to the J-Z subway lines that have a stop at Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn." The JMZ line is right next to my house Bit of trivia for you.

Ghetto

I have also now purchased my first NYC tour tickets to see Feist in early June. I'm so excited - and a little scared that the world of internet purchasing has been opening to my feeble checking account. I have also managed to buy a ticket to a lecture this Thursday by Vince Frost which should be rather exciting - give me something to talk about to Uni people.

Feist:

I have been out many times over the past weeks, too many times to write anything that isn’t horribly repetitive. But highlights include - seeing Tim Howey play a dj set somewhere in Soho, Heading out to les (lower east side) with the lovely Georgie Barrett, a night at a club with more celebrity photos on the wall and beautiful people on the seats than I could believe and other drinking and dancing adventures that I'm sure I wont remember in a month - but were fun all the same.

Some artwork at the train station

It's warm now - with the occasional chilly day - but it's warm. Green leaves are out and spring’s in swing. Thought I should add that.

I finally did Central Park with Julia last weekend. Had a proper walk around the grounds and saw so many cultural points of reference - that's was in Stuart little - sex in the city - that's where John Lennon was shot and killed etc. It felt like I had escaped to Dalesford but was still in the middle of Manhattan. Without too many of the buildings in site, it's a real contrast to the surrounding metropolis.

Random lady in Queens - sadly, she's at the cutting edge of queens fashion. Given that she has a photo of herself on her t-shirt.

So at work over the last month - I've been organising the details of the MSLK New Studio relaunch party (getting the food organised, the beer, logistics etc) and it's all starting to take shape. The food is going to be great - working off a Greek theme I've been researching all the local produce and fine tuning the menu. You can see the studio's transformation at www.mslk.com/newstudio

Lunch out back with my nanna/work mate - Ellen.

The eerie thing about ground zero was the abundant sunlight - in the middle of a very over shadowing bunch of skyscrapers. It was a little hard to take in the enormity of 9/11 - aparently they're still finding remains in the wreckage.

Statue of Liberty (squint)

So Georgie Barratt is in New York at the moment - has been great to have her to do some of the naughty tourist stuff that should have been done already. Had a great day in Manhattan with her - saw Ground Zero and did some shopping - also saw (albeit from a distance) the lady her self - Miss Liberty. (tick). Georgie's attracted some interesting characters on the street. Mainly men telling her she's beautiful (tis true) - but it made me wonder why nobody stops me in the street to tell me I'm beautiful. Perplexing.

(night out in Lower East Side)

Had a nice lunch in New Jersey with her and her boy James. New Jersey being the state across the Hudson - of Soprano’s fame. Let's just say the men were massive beef cakes and the ppl were interesting. That may be the first and last time I cross the border.

Hoboken - New Jersey. Frank Sinatra was born here. But playing monkey bars on sculpture was probably the funnest thing going on.

These trees smell like cum. It's gross.

I also caught up with Sophie Mallia for a night out on the Lower east side - more fun - randomly ran into Paul Currie in Soho and later this week my bestest buddy Elise is coming for the weekend. So I hang out with a lot of Australians.

In other news I'm very excited for the birth of my next niece of nephew in the next couple of days - I'm moving out of my little room at the end of this month hopefully into a nice room in Greenpoint, waiting to hear back from the roommates - and I'm trying my darndest to get some of this uni work done (the due date is looming)

Oh! And I have also had my first job interview at a 24 hour restaurant – see how it goes. Will try and look for another – if any one knows of anyone – anywhere. Let me know.

And just tonight I had an interview for this great apartment in Greenpiont (a Polish community closer to work - very pretty and cool) Heres some pics of the view from the end of the street.

Random video about Greenpoint:

The bike riding at the end of the video is in the street I'm hoping to be placed in (pray to the rent gods)

Cool artwork makes Nick a happy boy - neighbourhood gets the big tick. Let's pray that the other people they interview aren't good fits.

My stunner of a nephew Oscar - doing what generations before him have done. Wish I was there to double bounce him.

Hundreds and Thousands

2007-04-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

So I'v again found myself with a lot to write about and am trying to figure out the funniest - most intelligent way to put it. But the thing is - I can't be screwed - which I'm taking as a good sign. As my attractive friend Nicole pointed out - When I'm really having a good time, I'll rarely blog. So this post may be shit - but stuff it, my time is precious. Foreseeing this - I'm going to spice it up with a guest appearance by none other than my roomy, Donat. I'll try to get different people to do a little spot on each post.

My workmates thought it was so funny that I called Candy Cotton - 'fairy floss'. They were equally confused wit the term 'fairy bread' and they nearly died when I said they were covered in 'Hundreds and Thousands'. For any Australians planning children’s parties over here - use the term 'sprinkles' – and avoid the total confusion.

It should be really hot at the moment, but it still sitting at about 9 degrees and is grey and miserable. Spring is not yet properly in gear and I'm told New York can sometimes skip the spring and jump right into the summer. But any way - it's not too cold. It was raining heavily over the weekend - an I didnt have an umbrella - so that kinda sucked.

Me after a short walk in the rain - with Quentin. Soak-a-rama

I'm more settled in now - I have a day set up to stroll down and get the laundry done with the funny old Asian woman or the funny old Hispanic woman - having time to take out the garbage and clean the hole where I sleep - and generally setting up my domestic routine. The initial bliss of not knowing how much money I have has worn off - and I'm painfully aware of each little penny in my pocket. Now with a new bank account and my pay being processed - I'm going to be doing some serious exel spread sheeting. Narley.

Lez and Maggie - my auntie and Uncle had another week in NYC. They've fed my - taken me to bars and big broadway musicals - and generally pampered me in the fashion that I would never be able to acquire with my piddley wage. They've updated me with all that's happening from home so far and filled my bag with change and just have just been the Sunny to my Cher - the massage to my sore back - The cracker to my cheese.

Klaxons at Studio B.

{nick.craig} Burberry picnic

On Friday night - I went to see the Klaxons at studio B with my new Aust buddy Craig (Americans pronounce it CREG) They were great - a crazy night in Manhattan followed and I eneded up staying at another friends huge beautiful apartment in midtown. Strolled home through central park.

Now Central park - it's huge - it's so big - all I could think about was 'wow - this land would be worth sqwillions' And it would be. There are so many great little spots and heaps of people and big lakes - it's stunning.

All of midtown actually really reminded me of Seinfeld. Had a stroll down Madison avenue, park avenue and fifth ave - was a littel too hung over and tired to notice anything though. Will be heading back this weekend and report what my hopfully functioning brain soakes up. But I am going out on Friday so no promises.

So I saw my first celebrity in Williamsburg in like my 3rd week here - but I couldn't remember what his name was. Well I figured it out - it was Michael Pitt from 'The Dreamers'.

This guy.

Times Square

Great shot of Maggie

Dizzying lights of Time Square. This is my first real tick on my tourist TO DO list.

I'm still dazzled at the massive piles of trash that sit on the sidewalk. They separate everything into these intricate little bins - then every like third day - they empty them onto the sidewalk. Stink city.

This was taken at the restaurant in Leslie & Margaret’s hotel in Bryant Park square. It's the hotel that all the supermodels stay at during fashion week - the best food and more beautiful people than one could handle.

The desert. A few steps up from reheated mashed potato with salt.

Katie's Party

{Ryan, Gary, Katie} @ Katie's party. Discovered an American drink called 'Sparks' - it retails for 1.50 and is an energy drink with 7% alcohol. I'm sure if I drank more than two I would have an aneurism - or develop a slight case of monster-ism.

Bottoms up – Katie’s House Party on Saturday. (That’s the drink I wan talking about)

Just looks like an innocent little bunny yeah? I though so too…but wait

Bunny needs some grooming.

So not much more to report - heading to some museums this weekend and trying to get an expectable amount of sleep. I'm also getting preliminary plans together for the move at the end of May. Thinking I could move into Manhattan or even try to move closer to work? We'll see what I can manage.

You know, I really could live here for another 5 years – if all my friends and family weren’t back in Melbourne (and I didn’t have Uni) I don’t picture myself ever leaving. But yes, I'm missing Oscar Tate McDonald - and am very excited about the soon-to-be-release new nephew / niece from Matt and Alana. I miss ‘Mie Gorreng Noodles’ and driving. But it sounds like I’m homesick – which to clarify – I’m not. Not at all, I’m loving every New York minute.

NL/NY

Unique New York, New York Unique

2007-04-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn's where I'm living at the moment - in my little squabble of a home. I'm traveling to work using three different train lines - taking 40 minutes from door to door - not a painful amount of time - gives me a nice portion of time that I dedicate to staring at New Yorkers, reading my book or thinking about my blog. Brooklyn is massive - Brooklyn is New York's most populous borough, with nearly 2.5 million residents. If all five boroughs were independent cities, Brooklyn would rank as the third most populous city in the United States, behind Los Angeles and Chicago. So it's tres big. Having said this - I'm in a smaller community of Brooklyn - Williamsburg. And It's a great area - very cool and young. But I'm moving out at the end of May - have mainly been pushed over the edge by not having any hot water for the past 3 or 4 days. But I'll hunt for an apartment in Greenpoint - Long Island City, Williamsburg - or Manhattan (live the dream)

I've had a really great week this week. For a whole bunch of reasons. I've been in a lot of contact with everyone back home - thanks to the miracles that is Skype (get on it and add me - nicklemessurier) I've been looked after by my lovely Auntie and Uncle who are over for a few weeks. I've run into old friends, I've got more friends visiting very soon, I've made new friends and this morning - I had a hot shower – with real hot water.

I also tried the New York black and white cookie - of Seinfeld fame. I want to introduce a rainbow cookie for the new millennium. Or has the rainbow paddle pop been for Australia what the black and white cookie is for New York? Paddle pop – I’ve been so blind.

The weird thing is - it's not a cookie at all - it's like a flat cake - with soft dough. Diversity sure is surprising...and weird cause it’s different. I didn’t like it.

Have tried to start reading up on current affairs lately - seeing how much money Obamah is raising after Hillaries big sweep - or how the trail of those policemen who shot the unarmed black guy 50 times on his bucks night, the Virginia tech shooting...the whole thing.

Actually - the day after the Virginia Tech drama happened - I was down on clean clothes and had to wear my 'Die Yuppu Scum' t-shirt. mmm not quite apt.

Heres some random pics of NYC papers...

I like it cause it says New York

But this one has a cool thin layout and we get them free at work. So NYT’s is cut.

Went out for dinner Friday with My auntie Maggie (pictured) and uncle Lez, with my cousin Chris(pictured) and Claire. Maggie kept telling how much she loved reading my bog. What a great bog it was and how she could wait for my next bog. What can I say? I’m a bogger. I do big hot steamy bogs - I try to do one each week - but sometimes I just don have time to bog. Bogging can be quite time consuming...(I could go on)

Strolled around SOHO with Claire and Maggie - was such a nice wander - with the sun out and a fresh batch of snow falling and catching the light. But not enough snow to accumulate and get gross. A nice and lazy tourist jab, which was great for me – I’d been out the whole night prior and was not the most energetic I've ever been.

They have these amazing billboards in Manhattan that are painted onto the brick. How cool.. These things are massive – they even do photos – like the big madge painting picture – Hate to spell it wrong…

More cool painted on stuff…

Recognize this store? Carry Bradsure realized she'd spent 40K on shoes while sitting on that seat – Sex in the City. The store doesn’t sell the crazy labels though, there all kind of cheap. Ha.

Here’s the other picture I thought I should post. This one has pride of place on Chris and Claire’s fridge. It's annoying to think this was taken to celebrate the start of spring but it's still like 3 degrees everyday - and this big storm happened on the weekend with 7 inches of rain falling in central park. Stupid.

So this week at work it was lulu's birthday. Emil made her a little birthday hat to celebrate - she wasn't happy.

Sheri and Lu Lu.

I'm becoming one of those crazy cat people that always take photos of their cats. Lulu just poses so much. This wont be the last pointless picture of a cat included in the blog...there just so damn cute.

This sits behind my desk. It’s a birthday gift from one of Marcs friends , a great illustrator - Aaron Meshon.

Fuck Yeah

{Elyanna, Nick, Heather and Kristen.}
Here’s my new neighbors. They’re the ones that I went out with Saturday night. A tiny bit of them is featured in the photo booth - pics. They’ve got the coolest forrest print on their lounge room wall.

American diners have so many items on their menu it makes me dizzy. Should I have shredded bacon, maple syrup AND turkey, beef chicken and mayo with sprinkles and a whole cow? Or just the eggs, shredded bacon and maple syrup.

The choices are what I'm getting at - I think back home we try to limit the choices to minimise confusion. But New Yorkers know what they want and enjoy the options...

Here’s a funny example of that I found at a bar in west village on the weekend.

This was in one cubicle mind you.

Any way. I'm just passing through to correct some of the spelling mistakes - but this post was crap - I'll get cracking on the new one.

In the next issue: Donat will be the first to answer the NYC 10 questions, Monty Python musical, times square, parties and central park.

Small world. Big Head.

2007-04-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

Ran into a girl I met in Barcelona, Elyanna, on my street. Went out with her and her roommates (who all live a half block from me) on Saturday night. Had a ball.

I didn't mean to take up the whole photo - I swear that's not how it was framed in the mirror of the booth lense. My massive noggin dominates.

More American foibles

2007-04-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

So continuing on from the previous post about American English

American English - Australian English

Shopping hours - Trading hours

Bunch of - a lot of

Toosh - bum

Jumper - Sweater

Cart - Trolly

Peanuts - Styrofoam bits that go in box's.

Stocking cap - beanie

Muffler - scarf

Trunk - Boot

Period - Full stop

Parenthisies - Barcets

X-acto knife - Stanley knife

Drug Store - Pharmacy

There's no doubt more to come. Crazy Yanks.

NL/NY

Vegemite Bagel

2007-04-03T18:36:00.001-07:00

Spring flowers blooming in Queens

New York is a lot like Melbourne in a lot of ways. Queens, where I work, has a huge Greek population; My boss thinks it's the largest group of Greeks outside Europe - which turns out to be true - Melbourne comes in like 4th or something. But the Greek cluster around here has introduced me to some wicked tasty food. I'm in love with Baklava and I blame it’s high sugar content (along with coke) for making my teeth sore. (touch wood that ain't my wisdom teeth aching) While we’re on Queens - it's the largest of the boroughs, considered to be the most residential - it was one of the original 12 counties of New York and was named for the then-queen consort, Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles II. Ha. There you go.

But anyway, New York has endless history, culture and attitude. Just like Melbourne. If they'd change the stupid metric system and get rid of the rats, New York would almost be on par with Melbourne. Forever the patriot. Some of the similarities I'm not quite eloquent enough to get onto paper - but all this stuff has made it such an easy transition from one wicked city to another.

Target over here is insane. It's so much more high-profile than in Australia. Check out some of the ad's I was forwarded from my work mate Emil. http://www.dexigner.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9883

It downright puts our target to shame. SHAME. Although the campaigns are getting better - and I did read about the Stellar McCartney stampedes at Target, Chadstone...maybe things have changed...

Redken freebies...

Work delt out some old Redken products today (they’re one of our Clients). It was beauty products bonanza. I nabbed more shampoo than I'll ever use – and more hair treatments than my newly cut hair could ever soak up. But dammit it was free - I'll eat the stuff for dinner come the end of the month. There surely some fruit extracts or ho-ho-va or protein or something...

Emil and Ellen at their desks on one of the hotter & sunnier spring days.

The presets at Studio B, Brooklyn

So I've attempted going out on the town a few times while here - most times escorted by the lovely Andrew, who's been integral at introducing me to the night time underbelly of the big apple - but when trying to see miss kitten and later the ed banger night (with Presets and Justice...saw the Cut Copy boys out front) we were left stranded outside, lining up in a futile attempt to nab some on-the-door tickets. Both times failing to make it in and aborting to one of the many cool bars to lick our wounds with expensive liquor. But on Saturday night the ticketing gods smiled on us. Andrew PRE booked some tickets to a show in Brooklyn with the Presets and Datarock. And tickets were only 10 dollars. It was great - they were great - people storming the stage and the whole kit and caboodle. Missed Datarock - but for 10 bucks I was satisfied with a stellar performance from the presets.

I’m not 21 yet – as most of you know. But the genius thing about that is my birthday is 3rd of August 1986. When written on my ID it says 3/8/1986. Which to Americans means 8th of March 1986 – which means I’m 21. The timing was perfect considering I touched down on the 7th of March. And it works everytime. Mad.

But despite the high – there have enevidbly been the lows - as I was warned would happen. Work has been challenging, my wallets been light and I've been finding more stupid flaws with the apartment. But I've had two vices that have been my saviours in these darker moments

1) Food - ever the comforter and

2) music - ever the empathiser.

I'm slowly getting into a rhythm with work and home - I think with in a few weeks I'll have the whole routine down-pat. I'm also getting a bloody cold as Spring roles in (much like the rest of my workmates) but luckily Mum and Dad have lovingly sent me these cute hankies that have an N on them. Awesome.

Dude - this car is following me everywhere....

Adjusting to the American diet has been a stress on the guts I think - as I'm gassy - more gassy than usual. I'm just non-stop gassy. Let's not be shy - I'm totting left right and from the centre. To paint a greasy picture: this was today's menu.

Morning : egg and bacon croissant, banana, 2 slices of baklava at work.
Lunch: salad bagel with say 5 baklavas and 6 cups of tea with sugar and a can or two of Coke.
On way home: stop for a cheeky chicken wrap from wicked street vendor (pictured) - grease literally pouring out of it.
Dinner: last nights pasta with Paul Newman sauce(no microwave, so served cold ). Another can of coke - possibly a couple of cans of Papbs blue ribbon beer to help me sleep through the thumping hiphop ($6.50 for a 12 pack? Who could resist)

So, upon inspection - I can see exactly what's making me fluff - complete disregard for bowel health. Solution? I don't know - any suggestions? Alana - I'm looking at you. My professional integrity is at stake.

The street vendor that sells me my Chicken wrap fix.

The chicken wrap. It's only 3.50 and is served piping hot - this could become a regular meal...

The (deeply satisfied) Chicken wrap eater

Pretty sweet ass school moto that I saw in south Williamsburg. If I had kids here - I know where they’d be going...

Here's my family portrait on the wall. It's the replacement window. I miss my family - there all going down to the beach together - which is rare - so I'm missing them and wishing I could take a well earned break and drive to Lorne for fresh air and beach bum laziness. All I need now is a rocket and a time machine.....

But I'm stuck in New York - with high hopes.

The New York To Do List

2007-03-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

I'm still yet to see parts of the city that your average tourist would be dying to get done.

So I want to make a list of things that I should be doing while I'm here - to make sure I get as much out of this city as possible. And anything that will get me out of my room is fine by me.

So comment this list and add things that you think I should do - it's an easy way you can travel vicariously through me. Which I know you want to do.

1) Eat a bagel (done)
2) Eat a hot dog
3) See Statue of Liberty
4) Go to Times Sqare
5) Go to Central Park
6) See Orchestra play in centrl park
7) Go on ferry round Manhattan
8) Go to the top of the Rockafella center
9) Go Ice Skating at the Rockafller center
10) See Sienfeld Diner
11) Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge
12) See the World Trade Center site
13) Go to MOMA
14) Go to that massive toy store near central park.
15) See some rediculous bands.
16) Eat a muffin from Magnolia Bakery (done)
17) Go to a broadway show
18) Go to a baseball match
19) Go to a NY Nicks game at Madison Square Garden
20) Go to a Gospel Church in Harlem
21) Get into Bungalow 8
22) Order chinese food to be home delivered at 4am
24) Go to the Hamptons
25) Go to Fire Island
26) Get a horse and carriage ride through central park
27) Go to the the high line festival in may!
28) Go to the soup nazi
29) Go to yankee stadium
30) Go to the Entertainers basketball challenge in Harlem - so much cooler than the globetrotters..
31) Go to the empire diner cnr 10th and 22nd and eat the sundaes
32) Go to Patricia Field (the stylist's) shop.

What else? Now that I'm here I cant think (comment an suggestions...)

The New York Howl

2007-03-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

So I didnt think alot has really happend since I last posted. But my brain no good for nothing - as I list all the events - the has been a mega amount of goings on.

Random.

Well - Since moving into my room - I've managed to get a new desk for my computer and a big mother load of non perishable food that I'm hoping will last for the nest month and a half. The room has become a bit of a killer - even though my room mates are great - no light is starting to bug me. So I'm hoping I can move out in a couple of months. A couple of things I'll have on my new criteria for a room will be 1) power points in the kitchen 2) reliable hot water 3) a window in the bedroom 4) near the train station. So fingers crossed I can break the 6 month contract.

My house. Is a very very very nice house. Or not.

This inside of my fridge - I've been drinking a lot of Coke since I've been here. This is what happens when I'm trying to save money so I need a quick energy fix and can't be bothered boiling rice.

Heres my computer pre-desk. I was developing massive back problems crouching down to surf the internerd.

American bread - it's bizarro. I had brunch with Clare and some of her friends in an amazing bakery in Manhattan that had some great bread - it was probably the first really bread I've had in a long time. And that's because most of the bread tastes like cake or donut bread. This bread has no crust at the end - it's weird. And don't trust that whole wheat' advertising. It's complete processed garbage. I learnt that lesson when I bought some muesli that was 'naturally sweetened' - turns out it was 98 percent sugar - blurgh

There are a few other really weird things about my block. For example, there is an ice cream truck in my neighborhood that loops my block - over and over and over. As ice-cream trucks do, it plays such nostalgic hits such as mary had a little lamb and other cute little jingles. It also has a semi hip-hop beat that plays over the top of a few of the tracks. Ghetto. It's getting a little annoying though - because this isn't a rarity. The damn thing loops the block for hours. Apparently in Summer it's going to get worse.

This is the Marc Jacobs store in West Village near Chris's house thats doing a promotion for spring. A guy dressed as a chicken sits in the window and you can your photo taken with him for free and after woods they stick your photo on the store window. See....

I think that it was actually Marc Jacobs that was inside that chicken.

When Australians here about snow in New York - they think of romantic Christmas's and walking through white central park. But here some naked truth - after it melts and collects the dirt from the ground - snow get feral.

New York has an interesting waste disposal system. They all have 'trash' cans for plastic and recyclables and rubbish etc. But then they just trough it on the side walk. 2 times a week the sidewalk is covered in trash.

Waiting for the train...

Heres what the trains look like. I spend an hour a day on these. You see all kinds a NY wakkos...

An ad on the train for some beauty product. It's not much of a before and after transition...mmmm

A pic of the view of manhattan from the train on the way home

Since I last wrote - I've also been forced to get to the nearest laundry matt to get some washing done. It's near impossible to have a washing machine of your own in this city because of ultra restrictive flooding restrictions.

first load of washing. Kindly taken by the loud spanish mama that helped me work out the machines.

Work has been going well. No real news there. I'll be starting a separate blog to document my activities at work - cause I have to keep a work journal for uni. Sure you all dying to read it. pfft.

Me at my desk

Some little heads

I'v also been partying with some cool cats in NYC. Mostly Australian so far...

Seeing Nicole was a definate highlight. Cause she's so fucking funny - in a sick and twisted, wrong and broken kinda of way. Had an amzing veagan dinner in east village with Nicole and her equally quick friend Amber.

Mr Andrew

Julia - Adrians buddy. Who I just ran into at a party in Brooklyn - small world.

Grace Jones and Dan. Who just went to South by South west in Texas. Crazy.

work mate katie

Mr Andrew - Lou

When I first met Brooklyn

2007-03-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

(It's not snowing again - this is a photo I forgot to include from the first week)

I'm just getting to know Brooklyn, it's been sold to me as the cool alternative to high priced Manhattan where all the younger crowd migrate and artistic communities cluster among the ethnically and culturally alienated. (Hasidic Jews and Hispanic) So far I've noticed some very cool little bars and restaurants, sandwiched between some ghetto dinners and dodgy looking nail emporiums. It feels a bit like Carlton - with many attributes of say...Footscray or Victoria Street.

I've also discovered the great rooftop of our building. You can sneak up there from our kitchen window - up the very New York fire escape. There's a view of the Chrysler building and the empire state. I'm a sucker for rooftops - and since I've got buckly's chance of getting a membership to the Soho club (Sex and the City rooftop pool) then this suit me fine.

Fuck yeah.

Here’s my attempt at making my bedroom nice. The blanket didn't look so porn star on the shelf - but I can dig it. It feels like my dressing gown back home.

And here is me in the kitchen - making my first home cooked meal.

This sign is hanging in my kitchen.

And me with the meal. A meal cooked with very very few cooking utensils, no tea towel – or glass. More shopping needed. I also don’t have a toaster – no toaster? That means no toast. No toast? No no.

the bowl of pasta al la Le Messurier

The empty bowl

and - with no TV for after dinner entertainment - I took photos of myself.

Another bone I've got to pick and chew and spit out - is the American currency design.

Firstly - a $100 note and a $1 dollar note look almost exactly the same. I had like $35 worth of one dollar notes the other day and I thought I was loaded. I thought wrong. And the coins don’t have numbers on them. Jesus. IT'S CURRENCY - The numeric value is a very important piece of information - dare I say more important than the umpteenth patriotic phrase about rights? So I’ve got a work out the value of the coins – especially considering my salary…

(just in case there aren't enough photos of me)

Another foible I've notice bout the yanks is that none of them have kettles that you plug in. They all have the 'on the stove - whistle when it's ready' variety. They annoy me.

Anyway - I've seen some wicked buskers on the subway - there's this one girl who just sings Maddonna songs and sound exactly like her (circa 1985 when she had a higher voice). There is also this really really good group of break dancers - but they must get so grubby cause the subway is dirt on dirt on rat on dirt. Kinda like this (minus the red sparkling spandex suits):

Wish I was home for the Hunter to Hunter pub crawl - and Golden plains - but I'm going to call Kate at the right moment - so be drunk enough to talk to me.

Oy Vey

Nick

Room-a-toid-move-itis

2007-03-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

So last night was the first night in my new room. I went to the giant 'Bed, Bath and Beyond' store in Manhattan to buy all of my sheets and pillows etc. Ended up with a huge amount of stuff that I was barely able to carry with me on the train home - but I made it. On my way home I was semi abuse by a cat wielding hobo -my first real NYC hobo interaction- she was trying to convince me that the unarmed black guy that was shot 50 times by 11 policeman deserved it cause he had two kids and was out at a night club (on his bucks night). Riiiiigggght.

I'm totally exhausted today from getting the room set up - and it's not over. Still have to get my clothes organised and try to get a desk for my computer. But I'm glad to have my own space - albeit a little dark. The room adjacent to mine (the one I have to walk through to get to my room) will be empty till 1st of april - so it gives me window / natural light access for a little while. And there’s a TV and couch so it's pretty sweet .

Seems my 'character' building is a bit of a cultural melting pot. Met the next door neighbours - one of which is a guy from Turkey call Tunch. (Toon-ch) He was very pissed when I asked him if he was from Germany.

To add to my 'funny things Americans say' section

"Dovey" for doona.

"Power strip" for power board

"Shopping hours" for trading hours. And 'trading hours' directly translates to the stock market trading times.

they dont get 'jumper' either. It's a sweater. I think that’s like calling undies poopers.

Not the most exciting post - but a post none the less.

Maybe this weekend I'll actually venture out and see some of the city?

Serperated at Birth

2007-03-21T07:35:00.000-07:00

A model. Idiot...

Spring a ding ding

2007-03-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of spring - and all the snow that’s fallen and turned into ice and collected all the dirt from the streets is melting. I'm about to move into my new apartment / pee pee soaked heck hole - so it's a fresh start all round.

See - it's really sunny - and there's the snow melting away - and theres me squinting (taken on Union street) - Spring a ding ding

Since I last wrote nothing huge has happened - work's been coming along fine and I've been doing more of the same stuff in my spare time. On Saturday it was St Patrick’s day - which is massively celebrated in New York. There were drunken louts everywhere - you could pick them by the way they would fall into puddles of slushy freezing water or wrestle each one another in the snow. Claire and I decided we should get out and do a big load of window shopping, went round eye off items I couldn't buy for the day. It was almost as satisfying as buying something, almost.

Went out for st pat's day beers that night and in honour of the Irish, got completely spastic. First semi bender of my time here - and I'm guessing not the last - but hoping none the less. Spent the Sunday attempting to move my stuff over to Brooklyn with a badly throbbing head. Note to self : don’t write yourself off before needing to lug 60 kg (132 lb's) cases up three flights of stairs.

Here’s Chris and I on the night. Related? To be sure..

So here’s my house - it's the tall brown building in the middle. I like to call it - the 'Character Building'. I'm on the third floor and my rooms in the middle of the right hand side. The annoying thing about it is - there could easily be a window - I just need to knock a whole in the wall for a bit a light. oh well. That’s a Pentecostal church next door - I can hear the preacher going crazy American style from the kitchen.

For bigger shot -http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/nicklem/My-house_big.jpg

Here’s a little collage of my room - it's a bit hard to picture - so try and imagine your face being wrapped in badly painted plaster until you can't breath, that’s my room. But seriously - it's my room.

Clcik here for a bigger shot - http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/nicklem/my_room2_big.jpg

I've ordered a double bed that’s being delivered soon - and I hope my primitive measurements of the room (made with my feet) actually come through as accurate. We'll see (am also hoping that the base can actually be maneuvered into the room)

On my way to purchase a bed - I walked passed like three old mattresses that had been turfed on the sidewalk (footpath) Must have been hard trash (rubbish) collection or something - but I was mighty tempted to drag one home and keep the 250 US for myself. When I considered it though - I thought having both a soiled garbage mattress AND a windowless room of death would probably be too grotty for my affluent taste. Call me crazy...

I forgot to put this in my last blog - but it's my favorite thing about NY so far. I spend like 3 strait hours laughing when I found it in a little store in Grenich village. (referring to the houseflies) And while I was there I bought these funny little t-shirts for my keys. Made my day.

and for the bargain price of on 99 cents. Bliss.

I also wanted to document some of the wierd things I've noticed about AMericans:

* They arent as pent up and polite as Australians or the English. If some one leans on you on the subway - you let them know - using the most colour adjectives and four letter words available.

* They actually listen to what you say and respond. Were as Austalians often trail off at the end of sentences - they also talk for 20 minutes about something that, back home, would take us all of 10 seconds. 'I hear you on that' 'ok great, so I guess my thought is..'

*They use silly words like

'silverware' for cultlery.

'drugstore' for Pharmacy.

'super nice'

When I told my brother - he told me that South Africans call traffic lights -'robots'. That trumps all of mine. Robots? ....Come on.

Alright. That's the goss.

Will set up my computer soon and be much more connected. Which will be nice.

Oy vey

Nick

My first week.

2007-03-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

My first week in New York, the first of the next 50. If this week is anything to go by - I'm in for a pretty sweet year.

Fuck YEAH.

My flight over was good - the movies were good and quantas did pretty good food etc. But I was seated in between two rather large men who really loved talking to each other and slept like logs as soon as the lights dimmed. Not only this but they started playing fart tenis in there sleep - one would fart (which is understandable for a 14 hour flight) but then the other would fart and the game would continue. I was an unimpressed unwilling umpire. Fat men 1, Nick 0.

After touching down and getting settled, my cousins girlfriend Claire took me out in the Grenich Village (where I have been staying for the last week w my cousin) to a little old speakeasy for dinner. We entered the ordinary way and then exited through 'the cops are here' emergency exit. The area is so cool (it's where sex and the city is filmed)and the thing that suprises me is that parts of Manhattan (Grenich village/west village/soho etc) are really petite and residential - not the bussling crazy boom boom town NYC is hyped up to be.

This is Chris and Clairs apartment on the very chic Cornelia st.

It's really cute and cultured with little stores, bakeries and beautiful people everywhere. Chris (my cous) has a little apartment in Grenich village just next to the bulding where Bob dillan lived for 20 years. Random famous things are everywhere, { thats where Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker lives - thats where Mike Myers eats breakfast each sunday - thats whats-hernames store etc etc etc}. It's bizarr.

Bob Dylan lived here for 20 years. Now it's a one of many many many sex shops.

The lovely Claire.

snow

basketball court.

Nick again.

Burberry picnic

Me with Cousin Chris outside the flat this morning.

The snow is pretty - but gets kinda gross when it starts to clear.
I've had a great time strolling around on my first few days seeing the subway and a few of the tourist sights. Went a bit crazy and H&M - ate one too many bagel's - and tried talking to as many NYorkers as possible. The accents are halarious. I went to the supermarket to get some museli, and they were so confused when I asked were the health food section - three of the supermarket gimps took me to the sunscreen section.

So my first week at the job has been great - I'm working on the top floor of of a three story house in Queens. It's a really small studio with three other emploees and the two owners ( a married couple) All the people at work are really nice and I've learned lots so far. It's all newly renovated and there are two cats in the office.

Marc and Ellen in the office. Thats a giant cup - not trippy perspective.

Having a job has really changed my experience when I compare it to going to Europe, theres more of a purpose to what I'm doing and I'm not in a rush to see the city. Theres time to chill out and my free time is so much sweeter. The studio does some great work and it feels like a good fit. They make fun of my accent and I make fun of theres, answering the phone has been a bit of a challege. All new yorkers have such bizarr names and they dont really understand me. I find myself doing my american accent all the time - esp if I need dirrections or a train ticket or something.

Nick, Sheri(boss), Marc(other boss), Ellen, Katie, Emil.

Lou Lou - the insane office cat. Adicted to cat nip.

The office. No - not the house - the office.

I have been apartment hunting since I got here - and on my budget, I have seen some really really disgusting rooms - for outragous prices. And the whole process has - to be honest - completely exsausting. But after many a late night viewings and trecks on the subway - I found my self a room in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. (union ave) Now it's not cheap cheap - but it's cheap. Sure - theres no window - and it's the size of a shoe box - and I have to leave the apartment to get to the shower which is down the hall - but it was available and I could move in straight away. And I'm living with two other guys - one of whom is a German guy called Donut. Yes - he's called Donut. Probably why I took the room. The building is inbetween two churches and accross from a police station so it's safe and near some cool bars and cafes etc.

Snow?

Another freaky thing that happend this week was that only a few blocks away from where I'm staying - a guy shot a waiter and then killed two cops before being gunned down in a five minute shoot out on the street. 4 people dead. Chris, Claire and I were out at dinner - but luckily had moved downstairs to the jazz bar. Very scary. He also had a huge amount of amunition and a semi-automatic weapon in his bag. Lucky - would've totally blown if I was shot. Blown.

If you've read this far - I commend you - my blabber is hard to disifer and my spelling/grammer, worse.

New Yorkers all have dogs. They love dogs. Despite the tiny places that they all live in - alot of them have MASSIVE great danes. Many of the tiny parks around downtown have fenced off sections for the dogs to play in. I've seen a few dogs around that wear little outfits - which is nothing new I know, but some of them have little matching sneakers.

Dog walker - walks dogs.

I'm not missing home yet - but I'm sure I will soon. I'm on the computer all day at work so send me an email (nick@mslk.com) If any one knows where my favourite leather vest is let me know - and also...

Any photoa from my good bye party - send em to nick.lemess@gmail.com. Please please.

Big Love

oy vey

Nick

Explanation...

2007-03-16T13:21:00.001-07:00

I'm in New York for 2007 as part of my degree in graphic design. I'm doing an internship in Long Island city and living in Brooklyn. In an effort to not go through this whole year and turn around and have only my brain to rely on for memories - I'm going to use this blog to keep my experience documented and actually remeber the year for once. And also it's a convenient way for all the friends/fam to see what I'm up to without over crowding your inboxes.