Back to School... New York Style

As you can see, I fell a bit behind due to this week being my first week back at law school.  There are several contributing factors as to why I was unable to post this week.  The first is that of security.  The second is due to transportation.  The third is due to workload.  And the fourth was due to a visitor.  

The first two are related.  Because I was still waiting for my financial aid check to arrive, I had to be very cost effective in my commute.  This required me to take one subway and walking a total of 6 miles a day.  I simply didn't want to have to lug my books and laptop around while doing all of this.  Also, with the possibility of muggings lingering in the warning portion of my brain, I don't want to get myself marked as a target.  Most of the victims have had backpacks and I would rather just eliminate that possibility.  So I am going to buy a cheap desktop (Mac of course) tomorrow (hopefully) off of craigslist and keep my laptop in my locker at school.  So I will stay safe and be able to work from home via Mobileme from Mac as well as post on this blog.  

Workload was also a significant factor.  I have the following classes: 1) Commercial Transactions; 2) Corporations; 3) Tax; and 4) International Law.  This requires a heavy reading load, like most law classes, and I was spending most of my time this week preparing and catching up for classes.  I am also researching my journal article for public interest law school teaching practices.  With the addition of typical administrative activities that come along with law school, it has been a busy week and sadly I have been averaging only about 5 hours of sleep. But with the arrival of my financial aid check and the 3-day weekend, that should be coming to an end.  

I also had a visitor this week and we went to a Jazz concert in the lower east side and enjoyed some time at a great non-profit bookstore (more to come in a later blog).  The concert was amazing.  It was at Blue Note on 3rd Avenue and Amel Larrieux was the performer.  It was a very relaxing and soul filling night and even featured Amel's 14 year old daughter accompanying her on piano, flawlessly and effortlessly.  I'll write separately about the bookstore and my experience in Chinatown, where the bus comes in.  

So after almost a month of scraping every penny I had and all that was donated to me, I got a portion of my financial aid for the semester.  Ignoring the scathing critique I would like to embark on thrashing the business system of law schools, I will instead focus on my first purchase.  After eating small portions of "meals" for the bulk of this month, I was able to order sushi in.  But after eating my sushi, and tempura green tea ice cream, a new favorite of mine, I was still hungry.  So I ordered mexican food in too.  It must have been quite a sight when my roommate Marnie came home to see the empty bags of food that is not exactly "pair recommended."  But I feel great.  

Tomorrow I will be helping Marnie move the rest of her things from her old apartment in the upper west side, hopefully picking up my circa 1999 Mac, and stopping by a thrift store to get a desk/table from my room as well as a couple of items from Target.  

The CUNY experience thus far has been amazing.  The last 2 years I have been in a highly competitive, stress filled environment.  When I walked in the halls all this week, every student was so friendly and eager to learn.  In every one of my classes we talk about ethics, non-profits, and the public good.  It is such a departure from what I have been used to.  And it is so wonderful.  Talking with students, each one has a niche they would like to fill and a personal dedication to living life to the fullest while serving others.  There is no talk of getting that big law firm job.  There is no drama between the students.  And everyone is eager to help each other.  

I look forward to writing more about these classes and how they embrace the public interest focus as well as my experience at the bookstore when the pictures arrive.  All in all, it was a great week full of studying, new experiences, relaxation and relationship building, and ending with...food.   

Orientation and Mieces

So today was the big orientation day for CUNY law.  I woke up bright and early and began my commute to the law school.  I have to walk about a mile to the F train which is one ride to Forest Hills (in Queens where the school is) and then another mile walk to the law school.  It takes about an hour and a half but I am trying to cut back on expenses until I get my aid money so the commute is a little longer now then need be.  And it is lovely weather, lots of people out and about and the walk over the station is a fantastic one on Prospect Park West which goes by the really nice residences.  So what could I possibly complain about? The pictures are from this area and it was voted "greenest neighborhood" in Brooklyn and you can see why.  Lots of recyclers and very clean streets.  

I got on a very crowded train which means body contact but I found myself listening to my personalized "soundtrack of the day" which is a great way to start a day and didn't really mind.  There were less riders about half way through and I got a little reading done.  When I got to the school I discovered that I am the only visiting student and there is one transfer student, Nicole, who is a second year from Hofstra, which is near my summer apartment in Bay Shore. So we got all of our administrative business taken care of and found out we are enrolled in a class together.  So we are in this CUNY newbie experience together.  Perfect.  

I found myself in a great mood and was chatting it up with everybody.  I met the Dean of Academics and she is on board with my plan to write an article about public interest law school teaching practices, convinced the registrar to let me have my books and square me away even though my tuition check won't be paid until next week, made good friends with the librarian, and met a wonderful woman, Margie, who makes breakfast every morning.  And I mean buffet tables, with all sorts of food.  She has been working there for over 15 years and she went into great detail, twenty minutes, of my food options every morning, including the types of butter available.  Nicole let me co-habitate her locker until I get mine on Monday, which was good news because I wasn't trying to carry 30 pounds of books on the subway.  

It was a really good day, and it is good to have a friend who knows what it's like to be the foreigner.  We walked around the campus and saw the farm and llamas.  Pretty interesting little place.  On my way back on the subway, I really started feeling like a New Yorker.  I can manage the subways, and don't mind them.  I am walking a ton.  And I just seem to be getting along with so many friendly people here.  It just isn't true what they say about east coasters.  

So now I am writing the day's narration and will have some homework to do this weekend as well as some last ditch effort at laziness, including finishing the 700 page novel I started this summer.  But the highlight of the day had to be when I saw a little "Ratatouille" precariously perched on the corner of the oven (which doesn't work but that is another story).  I was uncertain as to whether I should inform my roommate who had a hellish day at law school today as a second year (the first semester of 2nd year is just terrible) and I didn't know if she would freak out.  Surprisingly she was very calm and told me I couldn't kill him.  Of course not. So after a bit of research online, I have a few humane strategies for catching him and will be releasing him far away in the park.  The song goes, "I think I smell a rat..." but I think I smell a YOUTUBE :-)  Stay tuned.  

Fireworks and the Immortal Words of the King Woman

My roommate and I ran to the roof to the sounds and sights of a fireworks display.  I kid you not, the fireworks followed a family screening of "Hairspray." (http://www.prospectpark.org/calendar/event/21934?o5943)

Unfortunately I missed the screening (please insert sarcasm here) but the fireworks were surprisingly impressive.  Thank you borough President.  

I also made a friend yesterday whom I talked with today as well.  Her name is Mut Shekem T Amena.  She is a priest at an African church.  I stopped and chatted with her yesterday, which turned into an hour, trying out her oils and discussing the issues of the world in great detail. These issues, including whether I had a women, a man, or both, whether I believed in the almighty ever-healing spirit, and how I felt about the fact that her wife was married, were discussed as countless neighbors stopped by, to whom she always politely introduced me to each.  

So today as I was taking my clothes to the laundromat, she joyfully sang, "Jah Sun," and guessed that I was born in May, on a Sunday, and that I was a Taurus.  She also correctly told me that I had walked on this side of the street because it was in the sun and the other side was in shade, even though that is the side of the laundromat.  She pointed out that I must be a happy one because I wear bright colors, noting my red running shirt the evening before, and the yellow polo I was wearing today.  The other woman, an elderly black woman, calls me "handsome" and today kidded she was going to set me up with a "few available women in her building."  I innocently replied, "I am not sure I can handle a few,"  but she assured me, "you must handsome, you must."  

She is a wonderful woman who sits and sells perfumed oils, incense sticks, and other homemade items in front of her building, which is next to mine, and knows nearly everyone in the neighborhood.  She is full of positivity and loves to talk.  I am sure I will be seeing a lot of her, sharing conversation on a variety of topics, and I promised to bring her hot coffee when it starts getting colder because, "honey," she said, "whenna colda comin, I ah stayin, cause I gotta be makin da money to pay da bills."  

Just another day in Brooklyn.   

Won't You Be My Neighbor

No matter who you are, what you believe your identity to be, or where you live, you are someone's neighbor and part of a larger community.  

This weekend, I decided I would venture out and see what was going on around me.  First I stopped by a dive bar which was purported to have live music.  Unfortunately the band had cancelled.  So I began a trek to see if I could find what I was looking for, not knowing what that was.  It was only about 8 pm so most people in Park Slope were eating and the bars were empty. Somewhat dejected, I decided to stop by my local bar to have a beer before calling it a night.

Shortly after ordering my beer, I began talking to some "locals."  What I found was what I have come to like about Brooklyn so much, they all had different stories.  J is a 25 year old originally from San Diego who, after 9/11, volunteered for the National Guard, and trained in Missouri to be deployed to Iraq.  He was medically discharged due to a shoulder injury.  He decided to come out east.  Working part-time jobs J is floating through life at the moment and mentioned to me he would be trying out Seattle next summer.  It's a small world after all.  We discussed his trip and his plans and J represents many other twenty somethings who are just trying to make sense of it all.  

Then there was K who grew up in the Bronx.  As an athlete he found a way to stay in school but like so many was influenced by the prospect of getting rich young through the only employment around.  This came in the form of selling drugs.  After a short, but lucrative career, K was caught and served a brief stint in jail due to his age.  One of the most fascinating statements he made was that prison wasn't that bad because he knew most of the inmates there.  On probation, he is now enrolled in community college, without financial aid due to his criminal status, and has had to sacrifice the finer things in life to stay out of trouble, which included moving out of the Bronx.  There are still those around him who could draw him back in and as he said, "it could be just a matter of time." Frustratingly, this is a reality.  And before you think it doesn't happen where you live, remember that here it is just more public.  

Then there is H.  H is 42, never married, and has a 15 year old daughter.  H is a neighborhood veteran and has seen a lot of changes and recalls the 80's, stating, "then, if you heard gun shots, duck."  Talking with them, we concluded things are safer in a way now.  Then it was largely turf wars between organized gangs fighting over drug sales.  Now it is neighborhood teens, without larger affiliation, fighting over lesser evils, girls, sidekick cells, and minor possession rings.  

We mostly talked about sports but every once in awhile the conversation hit home to the real world just outside the door.  This neighborhood is diverse.  But there are stories that many don't know, and some who don't care to find out even though THEY moved HERE, that speak to core issues that affect any community.  When I worked in Seattle's poorest neighborhood schools, students were fully aware of the criminal opportunities that waited for them.  There were always family members and friends who were involved in numerous activities.  Two of my students were raised by their mother alone, who was a prostitute, and left them to fend for themselves a few days a week. They also lived in a reputed "drug house."  At least once a week, I had to walk them home wondering if someone would be there to greet them.   But short of writing a $30,000 check, what can be done?  

This is the reality.  Where are the opportunities?  When there are none, or there appear to be none, or the ones available seem to be reserved for a select few, hard economic choices have to be made.  And when a choice yields a reward, there is little incentive to listen to principles of justice and fairness in an unjust system.  While I hope to contribute to the greater good in a more meaningful capacity some day, these neighborhood bar discussions are as good as experiential learning as you can get.  The four of us sitting there in a bar, owned and operated by a local Brooklyn woman with her own story, all sharing our different stories, each related. It's a crummy world at times and we owe it to each other to learn about our neighbor's lives. But you have to get out there.  I was a decision away from staying in, watching a movie, and isolating myself from the community around me.  Maybe it's risky.  Maybe you can't trust anyone.  But I am now attending a school where the motto is "law in the service of human needs" and came from a school that "challenges students to shape an equitable legal system for the common good through service of social justice."  I think you have to accept the challenge to get to know what those human needs are before you can promote social justice.  I accept. 

Delivery!

So I did a quick Google search just to make sure I wasn't crazy and confirmed we definitely don't have Sushi and Tempura Ice Cream delivered to our door in Seattle. This is now at least the 4th or 5th time my roommate has looked at me like I was crazy for never having experienced something seen as common place in NYC. And what an amazing thing. In 20 minutes we had 2 sushi rolls, seaweed salad, and 2 servings of tempura green tea ice cream at the door. She then showed me the countless menus hidden away next to the refrigerator in the kitchen. It was a food awakening today.

I also spent a little bit of time, before the thunderstorms came back, sketching on the roof. I am trying out these oil pastel crayons and it's going ok so far. If it looks good at all, I will post a picture. But below is the view I am sketching, specifically the water towers (a NY staple) and the building.

One of my roommates is off visiting Israel for 10 days and the other just finished her summer internship and we are both lazily awaiting school to start. Among the tasks I will need to accomplish will be figuring out how on earth I am going to get to Queens from here via subway. The tripplanner wasn't promising so I guess it will just require venturing out. Also we have the wall and cube painting project which I will get into more detail at a later time. It is scheduled for next weekend. I also need to consider finding a weekend job, perhaps a bar or restaurant. Which reminds me I need to budget as a starving student.... It is actually amazing how many little things there are to do just to get settled. I still don't think it has hit me that I live here. It still seems like a bit of a vacation.

No major plans for the weekend so until Monday, take care of yourself and others.  

A Rainy Day

Today was a pretty rainy day and I sat around reading and working on my upcoming website.  As I was scrolling through pictures, the combination of rain and memories left me missing Seattle.  It's hard to leave friends and family.  So I just wanted to post a few pics of what was left behind...

An Educational Experience

This last weekend wasn't quite what was expected.  So often, the best laid plans are subject to things that are far out of our control.  Thus, when Sunday came around, the plan to attend the Brooklyn Tabernacle and hear a famous gospel singer was interrupted by the sounds of thunder and raindrops.  But as is so often the case in the unexpected, I find myself learning.  

The most important lesson from the weekend has been something that has been on my mind a great deal since moving to New York.  The topic, multiculturalism.  There is a lot of debate as to the precise definition of the term but in my own words I would venture to describe it as near: the presence of varying races, religions, beliefs, and values that make up a distinct culture.  There is no way around it, it's a controversial topic.  So I tread lightly.  

New York is well known for being the landing point for a variety of immigrants for nearly 3 centuries now.  For some groups, this means assimilation.  Many white European immigrants left their cultural identities behind to become American.  Others proudly re-established their cultures in neighborhoods.  Some had no choice.  Today, each shares a space with the others and seek to make their way daily often without knowledge of the other.  And lack of knowledge,whether titled the unknown or ignorance, can create fear, prejudice, or simply a shyness to step out of a comfort zone.  In New York, I struggle with this more than I would have expected.  

I was asked to attend a Dominican Republic Festival this weekend and under the influence of what I have found to be the prevailing sentiment here so far, I became a victim of ignorance. Instead of embracing the opportunity and learning more about a culture that is largely represented in NYC and in my neighborhood in Brooklyn in particular, I was distracted by reports of crime and complaints of crowds.  Passively aggressively, I opted out and asked for a more comfortable experience.  This was a mistake.  

When I walk around my neighborhood, I see the America of the future.  There are too many cultures to count, living in a small area, and not enough effort to embrace it all.  I am a curious person.  My aunt has called me a "digger."  I want to know everything there is to know about everyone around me, including their culture.  When I went to Italy, I shied away from Americans and dove right in to meet Italians and gain an understanding of the culture in Florence.  I forced myself to speak the language, meet people, and appreciate the differences.  I ignored exaggerated claims of danger and I was better of for it.  And I am not Italian.  

When I worked in inner-city schools in Seattle, as a tutor and community organizer, I was usually the only white person walking around, meeting with parents and leaders in the community.  Again, I was not dissuaded by fear, but sought to fully understand the culture I was in.  But lately I have been bombarded with talk of crime, difference, and "allegiance."  This is not me.  I intend to go to graduate school to further research cultural differences and bring about effective solutions that embrace multiculturalism.  I don't want to be a part of the irrational fear of isolation.  

I thought a lot about this today and I decided I need to get involved in the community immediately to understand what's going on around me.  I will not allow myself to be typecast into a role I am not comfortable in.  And I was foolish to allow myself to be subjected to such and missed out on a truly NY opportunity.  In this light, think about the activities I did experience with a friend that brought this to my attention, for which I am grateful.  

On Friday night, I went to my favorite local bar, near my house which embraces diversity to the fullest extent.  You will see many cultures together sharing the common values of humanity in one of the oldest traditions.  Relaxing and talking.  Think about this the next time you go onto an internet group that isolates you from these experiences and simply reinforces your point of view.  

On Saturday we went up to Central Park and visited the Strawberry Fields Memorial where John Lennon was shot.  Whatever your politics, a message of understanding and peace cannot be undervalued.  Again, people from all walks of life, visit the memorial and pay tribute, not to a man, but to an idea.  The park itself reinforces the idea, for it belongs to no single group, no identity, not even to a country, but to all who wish to visit.  And by and large, everyone gets along.  When asked, people gladly take pictures for you, give a smile, and sometimes pleasant conversation.

Later that evening, we had dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant where again the prospect of differing cultures has only added to the experience of living somewhere open to the free exchange of ideas, activities and sometimes most importantly, food!  How boring would life be if one had only to choose from a set menu, day in and day out.  And again, people from all walks of life sit and share cultural experiences in a traditional form, owned by no single identity.  

These experiences are learning lessons.  If we don't make the effort to expose ourselves to things different than what we are used to, we find ourselves trapped in ignorance afraid of what could happen, when it almost never does.  I have learned another lesson as well.  I feel compelled, as a member of a population that often circulates the unsubstantiated fear, to better understand the problem and to being a countervailing force and encourager of simply trying new things.  

My NY experience is supposed to be about self awareness, and I am reminded what one of my professor's, not so long ago told me, namely that I was a corrigible, rather than incorrigible, person.  This is important because I am reminded that I need experiences to feel content. I am open to what tomorrow brings, because I don't know with certainty what it will hold, and if those experiences, even the mistakes, change my mind, I gladly accept and vow to be different the next chance I get.  

If I want to make a difference, and I do, and if I want to enjoy my Brooklyn experience, I would be wise to limit my judgments and listen to those around me.  This is what my experiences, out of my comfort zone, have impressed upon me.  Sometimes it takes a gentle reminder to get back on track.  And for me, I am back to getting the most out of this experience.  The details are naturally yet to come.  Stay tuned.       

Preparing and Getting Lost

I have a friend coming up from DC this weekend and so I have been busily finding things to do here this weekend.  So we are going to head up to Central Park to see the Strawberry Fields Memorial for John Lennon.  Then we will head back here and see a Bill Withers Tribute Concert at Prospect Park.  On Sunday, we will tour the area and see CeCe Winans at the Brooklyn Tabernacle with the BT Choir.  Pretty full line up.  

But that meant I also needed to clean.  My roommates have devised a cleaning schedule where I am responsible for the first 10 days of the month.  Now remember this, guys are supposed to be messy, which I guess from some points of view, we are.  But girls and their HAIR.  The bathroom is essentially the stopping ground where hair goes to die.  It's amazing.  It's everywhere.  Other than that, the cleaning is a snap.  

Today was the second time I went to run at Prospect Park.  Now last time, I got lost about 2.5 miles in.  The full loop is 3.5 miles.  I wasn't sure if the loop was done, so last time, I took a little detour thinking it would hook me back up to the main loop.  It didn't.  I ended up at an intersection where Ebbett's Field is (old Brooklyn Dodgers Stadium).  I finally found my way back and came across the hill that continues for 1 mile.  

So today, I tried entering in a new spot.  Only this entrance is a mini-park in itself.  So I took the opposite exit and figured I would run around the block and the park would be there.  It isn't.  The Botanical Gardens are.  Then there was the Brooklyn Museum.  Then lo and behold: the Ebbett's Field intersection.  I couldn't believe it.  I had literally come full-circle two days later.  So I got back to the path and again tried something different.  I saw the Center Drive sign and decided to go that way, against traffic.  Which was also a bad idea and the entire drive is uphill.  I finally finished and decided from now on I will just stay on the main path.  

So I leave you with a pic from last night as the sun was setting on the way back to my apartment.  

Lazy Wednesday

This is the front of my apartment building.  We are on the 4th Floor.  We just got a new garbage and recycling area.  One of the tenants crafted a 12 bin facility complete with lids, doors, and handles to keep the garbage in and the riff raff out. Very exciting stuff. 

After getting a few groceries, thanks to a donation from mi familia, I met a friend at Prospect Park.  We basically just sat around watching people and chatting.  Shortly after we arrived, there was a man flying a kite.  Then another.  Then two more.  Then there was a club.  It was really cool to watch them set their kites, line it up and walk it out, and then watch them take off.  It reminded me of being a kid again.  

So we started talking about all the stuff we had as kids and looked at the kids around us.  There were the Razrs (which we called scooters), there were squirt guns (remember super soakers?), and there were a variety of other things.  But it reminded me of slip and slides, water bombs, and all the other must haves of a childhood summer.  Just then a beagle puppy came tumbling into me.  I had heard these were among the friendliest dogs in the world, but this one was king. He was just so happy to have the attention.

I also watched some pick up soccer which I will make a goal to get in before the summer is over.  Other than that, it was a pretty lazy day.  Ahhhh the dog days of summer ;-) 

Brooklyn Public Library

Today I went to the Brooklyn Public Library.  I wandered around, checked out the exhibits, and took a few pics though I was a little afraid Homeland Security might be following me.  The above picture is from the 3rd floor looking down at the lobby area.  It's a pretty big, old-fashioned library and I am sure I will be spending a lot of time here.  

Below is in the literature section.  

The last picture is the entrance.  It's a really great photo op but I just have the phone camera for now.  Perhaps I can get a visitor to take a better picture to get the whole thing.  There is also a Children's Wing around the side of the library with a Children's Garden and Entrance.  It looks like they have some volunteer opportunities so I will have to take advantage of that as well.  

Besides checking out my probable home away from home, I also picked up a voter registration form and sent that in.  Look out NY, I can vote.  

Just Another Sunday in Brooklyn

I spent the morning sitting on the roof, drinking coffee and chatting on the phone.  From that vantage, I have a great little view of downtown Manhattan.  I think this is going to have to be a regular activity, perhaps minus the phone.    

I then met up with a friend, who I met in Seattle but who is now living in Jersey, and we went to see what was going on at Prospect Park.  Apparently, there is a summer series called "Celebrate Brooklyn," and today's theme was the African Musical Festival.  There was a wide variety of shows, events, and stands with clothes, jewelry, and other items.  I was told there are concerts here all the time, ranging from festivals like this to bands like Spoon, etc.  The best part is this is only about 10 minutes from my apartment.   

Then, while walking around, we happened upon a joint church service from the cultures of Ghana and Nigeria.   It was pretty amazing.  The music was fantastic and there was a spiritual feel you sensed from quite a distance.  We were told it was a reunion of sorts.  

So a pretty uneventful Sunday in Brooklyn.  It really kind of makes me miss good old Bay Shore where I was surrounded by fun things to do and interesting people.  Maybe I made a mistake ;-)

New Apartment in Prospect Heights

So here are a few pics of the new place.  I will get more up in due time.  Like when I get stuff in my room.  We are also painting the living room wall soon and I will take pics of the area.  Til then...  

As you walk into the apartment you are in the living room.  Straight ahead through the french doors is Marnie's room.  

If you walk to her room and turn around you are facing the kitchen.

If you turn to the left, you see my room, and Yael's is to the left, and the bathroom is to the right.

This is the view (kinda- there is now an AC unit) from my room- pretty small but doable.

This is from the kitchen looking out.

Brooklyn Move in- A Great Success. Very nice

First, greetings from Brooklyn!  So you can figure out I made it.  As you may recall from yesterday's post, there were 5 potential dangers: the train, the transfer, the station, the weather, the conductor.   

1)  I got the double decker :-(  But LUCKILY I somehow managed to get the conductor's section which immediately to the right is one level with ample space.  Not intended as a passenger area, the conductor was cool with letting me use his cubby for my stuff, and to keep me out of the way.  So with that move I took out number 1) and 5)!

2) Unfortunately, I had to change platforms.  But again, luck would have it- elevators.  So number two was easy.  Below is a pic of my stuff at Jaimaca- remember- the suitcase is like 100 lbs and the backpack is like 30. 

3)  I got off at Flatbush and followed the elevator signs- see below.  It must have been a "sign" (ha-yawn) because the Hansen's are in Laguna Beach right now, weird travel coincidences.  

4)  The weather.  It actually cooperated and waited to start raining until about noon, well after I had gotten all my stuff in.  See below for weather as I am approaching Brooklyn...

5) See 1) above.

6) "As you know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know.  We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know.  But there are also unknown unknowns- the ones we don't know we don't know."  Donald Rumsfeld.  

Likewise- I did not know I would be exhausted when I got to Flatbush Station.  So I had to grab a cab, which was $12 to go a mile.  But I made a friend.  His name is Ighabel and he is from Northern Pakistan.  After learning I was a law student, he urged me to study immigration law so that I might make millions.  He then asked for my name and number and told me we shall go and have tea.  Very interesting- considering the book I just read. :-)

Also- I forgot about the STAIRS.  4 flights of vertical marble with all that stuff. 

Saying Goodbye to Bay Shore

The last day wasn't much different than any other day here in Bay Shore.  I did some laundry, mailed a letter, and went on a run.  On this last run, I thought of 5 potential problems that could face me tomorrow as I attempt to move.  First a little background:

I basically had to spend all my money on first month's rent and deposit.  As mentioned in previous posts, the job hunt was severely restricted by my proximity to where the sidewalk ends ;-)  As such, I had to make hard calculations for this move.  Due to gas prices, rental companies are no longer offering the great specials they did not 3 months ago.  It also seemed to make little sense to attempt to make more than one trip.  Remember- 1 trip is $10.  So I decided to cut down to one suitcase.  One very heavy suitcase, app. 85 pounds.  

Then I have my backpack which weighs in at a little over 30 pounds.  Then I have the guitar, and amp, I bought earlier in the summer to keep me company.  Then I have a cd case full of dvds.  So this is what I will be lugging onto the train tomorrow.  I am leaving early, 9 am, to avoid crowds and because I only have to make one transfer.  Assuming I can get all of this down the stairs of my apartment and wheeled to the train station, and then wheeled to my apartment in Brooklyn (total foot traffic is 2 miles) then I only have 5 variables that could make my trip an absolute joy.

So the 5 potential dangers:

1) Train Selection.  There are two types of trains that serve on the long island railroad.  One is the double decker.  The other is a single.  I need the single.  First the single has a place to store luggage.  Second, it is only one level.  The doubles are like those great split level houses- only forcing me to make an immediate choice, with over 200 pounds chillin with me.     

2)  The Transfer.  I have to transfer in Jamaica.  I need the transfer train to be on the same platform otherwise I am in a bit of a pickle Dick.  I  think there is an escalator to go up to the bridge where you can access the other platforms.  But there is definitely not one going down. That could be interesting.  

3) The Station.  I get off at the flatbush train station.  I need an elevator.  There must be one for handicap people but I have no idea where it is.  If I can't find it, I have to attempt to lug all that cargo up a narrow set of steep stairs.  

4)  The Weather.  According to weather.com, we have rain in the forecast tomorrow. Hopefully, the thunderstorms come a little later in the day. 

5)  The Conductor.  Let's just hope he/she is on my side.  I may need to make up a sob story or something.  I am considering getting on the 6:30 am train just to ensure a small crowd.