Milestone

So, my 25th birthday and one-year anniversary in New York have come and gone with little fanfare. I've thrown myself a bit of a pity party because the last year did not go very much at all like I had expected, right down to the birthday party, but I know that ultimately I am happy, and I had more than two birthday parties last year in Chapel Hill so I really can't complain.
So, as I am still searching for a job and a bit exhausted mentally from the stress, here are the 21 Questions that I debuted first here and am updating for the ensuing 6 months.


Age: 25
Neighborhood: East Village
Occupation: (still working on that; currently part-time at a box office)

Who's your favorite New Yorker, living or dead, real or fictional? 
Grace Coddington is my white whale - seeing her, just once, would just make my week.

What's the best meal you've eaten in New York? 
The showcase at Epicurious Entertains 2010 by the chefs from Union Square Cafe and Gramercy Tavern. Out of this world.

In one sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job? 
Sell tickets to moron tourists, answering the same three questions over and over again (no we don't take AAA/AARP, no we don't have student tickets, no I can't read your mind please tell me what you're here to see)

What was your first job in New York? 
First REAL job (aside from week-long gigs) was as a receptionist for a branding/ad agency. Still waiting for a permanent job.

What's the last thing you saw on Broadway? 
Next To Normal. It's been a long time. But The Normal Heart is next on my list; tickets are still pretty cheap right now.

Do you give money to panhandlers? 
No, I'm broke enough as it is. But there's this one woman that I see in the subway tunnels who breaks my heart - I want to bring her food someday.

What's your drink? 
Whiskey & diet, but lately I've had a taste for gin & tonic. It's a phase that I go through every couple of years. Reminds me of Christmas, and it's really nice when it's humid out.

How often do you prepare your own meals? 
About 35/65 at this point - I'm so busy that I'm always at a deli or diner, or eating hummus straight out of the container, which is definitely not a meal.

What's your favorite medication? 

Nutella.

What's hanging above your sofa? 

My roommate finally added art that doesn't suck/creep me out - our living room art is now majority Degas-esque ballet prints.

How much is too much to spend on a haircut? 

I get my hair cut at Aveda schools, and anything over $30 is out of my price range. But even if money were no issue, I can never imagine paying more than $100 for just a cut.

When's bedtime? 

When NCIS marathons end, or my DVR runs dry.

Which do you prefer, the old Times Square or the new Times Square? 

I hear that tourists were scared of Old Times Square. So, that one.

What do you think of Donald Trump? 

I am SO glad he's not running for President. Are you kidding me?

What do you hate most about living in New York? 

Tourists.

Who is your mortal enemy? 

Tourists.

When's the last time you drove a car? 

March, when I was visiting my college town.

How has the Wall Street crash affected you? 

You mean my complete and total inability to find a full-time, permanent job?

Times, Post, or Daily News? 

Times, but mostly NYMag.

Where do you go to be alone? 

Who wants to be alone? But a quiet spot in the Met (when I can find one) is heaven.

What makes someone a New Yorker? 

Figuring out the shortcuts that make the commute home shorter and more bearable. Also, loving the City but knowing when to get out and go on vacation.

21 Questions, Months 1-6

Every week or so, New York Magazine does a piece called "21 Questions." They do it with actual famous people, but if you've followed any of my past blogs, you know that I love a good survey meme. I'll probably forget about this, but I think I'd like to do this every year that I'm here in NY and have a record of it all. Maybe every 6 months. So here goes.

Age: 24
Neighborhood: East Village, sort of.
Occupation: (working on that)

Who's your favorite New Yorker, living or dead, real or fictional? 
I like the idea of Holden Caulfield, but I think if he were real and I met him, he'd be an asshole and I'd hate him. Gaga's from NYC, right?

What's the best meal you've eaten in New York? 
I found the perfect replacement for my NC sushi place (mind you, I'm open to other options and just today got a recommendation) called Yoshi Sushi in the East Village. But I have a lot of eating to do.

In one sentence, what do you actually do all day in your job? 
My job until 5:30pm today consists of answering phones, scheduling meetings, and flirting. Receptionist, what what!

Would you live here on a $35,000 salary? 
Pretty sure I am. It does suck, though.

What's the last thing you saw on Broadway? 
Beauty & the Beast, back in high school.

Do you give money to panhandlers?
I won't give money, but I've been known to buy them food. That's why they're asking for money, right? ;)

What's your drink? 
Depends on my mood, but whiskey & diet coke is my old familiar friend.

How often do you prepare your own meals? 
At least half of the time - as amazing as the food is here, it also gets expensive. Plus I love cooking.

What's your favorite medication? 
Afternoon beers.

What's hanging above your sofa? 
Art that my roommate picked out. I'm not a fan, but I figure I can throw some of my stuff up, at the point that I actually acquire said stuff.

How much is too much to spend on a haircut? 
On my budget? $50. Period? $200.

When's bedtime? 
As much as I would like for bedtime to be 11pm or thereabouts, I am consistently up until at least 12:30, which really fucks up the next day. I need to learn not to drink on school nights.

Which do you prefer, the old Times Square or the new Times Square? 
On principle, the old Times Square. But I don't prefer Times Square at all - Union Square is more fun.

What do you think of Donald Trump? 
He doesn't realize he's pathetic. But he's rich, so he's got THAT going for him.

What do you hate most about living in New York? 
The airless chambers of death that are the subway platforms.

Who is your mortal enemy? 
The group of fat tourists who walk slowly in a horizontal line along the sidewalk in front of me. I am a fast walker, and I hate you.

When's the last time you drove a car? 
On my way to sell it, May... 13?

How has the Wall Street crash affected you? 
How do I even start? See: story of my life.

Times, Post, or Daily News? 
Times.

Where do you go to be alone? 
My bedroom. Or, if I sit in the living room watching something RESPECTABLE. If I am watching The Bachelorette or Jersey Shore, however, my roommate will inevitably walk in and I feel the need to apologize for polluting the apartment with trash.

What makes someone a New Yorker?
Time spent and life lived. And scars from wearing shoes that are completely unsuitable for all the walking we do.