I've moved! This page should automatically redirect in 5 seconds, but if it doesn't, then click here.

6.22.2012

i can now say:





having lived here for just about three weeks, these are the things i now know with relative certainty:

the entire apartment slopes. just a little. it wouldn't really matter but for the fact that the frying pan has a tendency, while cooking my eggs, to slide right off the stove. 

on sunday mornings the church bells peel out a version of danny boy that digs in in such a way as to both haunt and energize. 

there is a point at which smith street runs into fourth place on one side and fifth street on the other. this is important information for anyone coming to visit me. 

there are more coffee shops here than i can count. all locally owned--most small outfits of neighboring restaurants. cafe pedlar, smith canteen, black and gold. 

one of my neighbors suffers from something i've hypothesized as bronchitis or emphysema or a nagging and peculiar sort of cough. i am constantly in fear for the state of his lungs. 

my windows look out on nothing but green. trees that sway and kiss. the street is narrow and decidedly lush. 

i have no dishwasher, no microwave, and get almost no cell service. i am irrationally delighted by each of these things. 

the beer garden across the way is in fact open at one in the morning, middle of the week, should you need to know. 

i wake to birds. and my pace has slowed. 

it is another world here. it is new york, but not. after eight years of manhattan living i have been transported. and the gratitude with which i wake each morning--the absolute wonder that fills me each time i get off the subway and walk down second place borders on unnerving. 

why did i not do this sooner, i think? 

because i wasn't ready. because i wouldn't have known. because i wouldn't have appreciated it for all that it was had i not lived the last eight years just as they were. 



18 comments:

Luka said...

what a nice summary :) positivity shining through.

Alexa said...

i, too, have no dishwasher or microwave. i also have no elevator, no cable, and no full-sized fridge. and, too, i am delighted. the simplicity lends to a richness. you know?

Anonymous said...

I so understand this. I had lived in central London for nearly 4 years before moving to a leafy area of North London. I still travel to the centre every day for work and friends but I love the village feel of my neighbourhood, the independent coffee shops and local library (surprisingly well - stocked!). Enjoy!

Kasia

kate said...

i am so happy for you.

Nicole said...

sounds like it feels like you're finally coming home:)

Anonymous said...

Enervate?

Spratt said...

Your new place sounds perfect! I'm glad you are happy there. :)

Maria Larsen said...

It sounds like such bliss living there!

Unknown said...

Sounds like right where I want to be instead of here in the desert.

vintch said...

such a pretty environment, and sounds so soothing. we have church bells that ring down the road from our little house and i think it's the most gorgeous, relaxing sound in the world. maybe not danny boy, though:)

Unknown said...

sounds wonderful. you are so lucky to find such a great place to live

Jennifer M. said...

I think that sometimes about my graphic design classes. It feels so "me" that I wonder why i didn't try it sooner. Then I remember that I probably wouldn't have appreciated it earlier in life. Sometimes we have to go through the hard stuff to get to the beautiful stuff.

JCP Eats, www.jcpeats.com said...

ah! it sounds so lovely!

Andrea said...

You have to get someone to help adjust your stove legs...No need for runaway frying pans!

Sounds like a perfect start...To what?

Be well.

Andrea said...

You have to get someone to help adjust your stove legs...No need for runaway frying pans!

Sounds like a perfect start...To what?

Be well.

elizabeth shay said...

that last paragraph-so true.
sometimes I wonder, why didn't i just do this sooner, regarding so many actions/decision, etc.
and yet, you are right. sometimes the world has a way of making you wait for things, so that when they finally do come your way, they are oh so much sweeter.

Freya Lily said...

The Zombie Hut has a great back area, weave through all the people and sit under the trees looking at all the lights above :)

Fromfreyawithlove.blogspot.com

Shaina Longstreet said...

I so enjoyed this post...and especially the last couple lines. Where we've been always influences where we are and how we view our currents world. Love your perspective. <3