Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Saturday, January 17, 2015
On the Streets of Manhattan:
Walking through the streets of Manhattan: A borough of New York City that is now, so very familiar to me. Having lived in the East Village, back in the late 2000s, I have my usual haunts; they are always ever changing though, as is the entire city; people and places, it seems, are always on the move in Manhattan, in that it is rare, that any sort of establishment here, stays, in one place for too long. Certainly as the gentrification around Union Square pushes eastward, toward Alphabet City. I know how the subways work; I know which to take to go where; I have favorite street corners; and I have favorite paintings in the city. With those painted centuries ago, by Frans Hals, Rembrandt, and Velasquez, being some of my favorites. I have favorite parks in the city, and delis in which (if they're still there, when I visit) I know the bagels and breakfast sandwiches are always bound to be delicious; I have friends in the borough; friends I often miss. I strolled through the East Village, having already strolled through Avenues A and B, and then down south, along Tompkins Square Park, before I slowly shuffled back north, in the direction of St. Marks Square. I then meandered from that square to Astor Place, crossing the street quickly, with zoom-lens camera in hand, and my Stetson hat, bedecking my head. My hat gave me away, he said. As, just as I was about to raise me camera to my face, to capture streams of gorgeous sunlight, I heard my name being shouted from what seemed a short distance, just behind me. I turned around to see my friend Jamie, standing with his significant other and their child–that is, their tiny fluffy-haired four-legged friend, named Bella–whose collar and leash both were pink, and whose shoes were the same color. Bella's entire outfit, matched. So serendipitous was it that I stumbled into my friend, while visiting this most beloved of borough of New York City. But that's how Manhattan works; so much energy is fumbling around the city's streets; the serendipitous is the everyday; the capricious is cultivated.
Friday, January 16, 2015
6th Avenue & W 59th Street, Manhattan:
I'm currently in New York City, to see a few paintings, and being here reminds me that I was American and American only, for the first 28 years of my life. It also makes me realize how special it is, that I’m now Dutch–to be a citizen of both the USA, and the Netherlands. I feel at home, within both countries. NYC reminds me just how fun life is oaths side of the ocean; I've even ran into a friend I haven't seen in years, in the East Village. We then walked about 25 blocks, just talking about everything we haven't over the past few years, catching up. How serendipitous this city is in those ways–the city gives one the sense that at any moment, anything could happen. I leave this weekend for Amsterdam...
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
The Portrait Gallery of the Golden Age:
Monday, January 12, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Thursday, January 1, 2015
It Begins, With Brunch:
Last week I brunched with Amanda–the perfect way to start off the new year. Our conversation endlessly flowed. So much so, that we've decided that for all of 2015, every Friday will be brunch day. That way, our conversation will be continuous...
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