Take Note

It's 2012 and my love affair with New York City continues.  

This wonderful city and I took a break from each other last week - breaks continue to be a necessary part of a healthy relationship between the two of us.  Sometimes New York makes me tired, but absence makes the heart grow fonder; going away always means that I am happy to return.

I came back with a quieter mind, rested body and new awareness for this amazing place I live in.  In the past several days I have been taking the opportunity to take it in.

I spent last night with my longtime friend (somehow we have managed to go to school together in three different countries) and amazingly talented photographer Adrian Fussell.  Like any good photographer he spent the night with camera in hand, taking shots of friends and strangers alike.  When I asked him what catches his eye he said, "People being people."

I notice that too.  People being people.  It makes me smile to watch Adrian do his thing because more often than not my eye finds the same things interesting that his does.  We just express our interest differently.  He takes a photograph.  I take note.  He develops prints.  I develop characters.

Usually my notes are mental.  Sometimes I think I should keep better record of them.  You know, just in case something crashes...

... So here is my attempt at taking note of the things that caught my attention today:

The sound of my radiator hissing and banging.  The first time I heard it I thought there was an axe murderer in my apartment.  Now I feel as though I could not live without that sound.

My roommate and one of her best friends asleep on the futon together this morning, and how they looked like one person curled up together.

The man using the payphone outside my apartment this morning.  He and his friend watching his back made it look like a lot more than a phone call was going on.

The three old men on the corner outside the deli down the street from where I live.  They sit on crates and lean on poles with the austerity of rocking chairs on a big wooden porch.  I always want to hand them an ice tea and some bourbon.

The bouncing children and their tired looking parents waiting in line for brunch.

A very chatty woman arm in arm with a very silent man on the subway.  She asked him about a million questions and he never said a word.

The very large sculpture of a kiwi bird at the 72nd street stop on the 2 train.

This woman wearing large black platform boots and a leather jacket with "Marilyn Manson" stitched on the back, hand in hand with the most adorable little blond girl.

The rippels my penny made in the wishing pool at Lincoln Center.

The group of people sitting in front of me at the movie theatre - I couldn't figure out who was friend and who was family, and why one of the women looked like she was going to cry when a little girl offered her a twizzler.

Hugo the movie.  All of it.  I was enthralled and delighted all the way through.

The man in the grocery store trying to navigate both a shopping cart and his daughter on her tricycle.

Realizing that the reason I never found Fraiser funny was because of the affected way he an Niles speak.  I just don't believe them.

This woman at our neighborhood bar last night who was dressed like Zelda Fitzgerald with a man in a pinstripe suit.

The different ways each of my friends chose to lounge and sprawl (couch, futon, floor, legs up, arms over head, on side, on stomach...) while we talked late last night.

What catches your eye?

-- Sarah Wharton

Comments

[Thomas Nelms]

This morning, the sound of the automated subway voice. It was especially noticeable today because I rode with my eyes closed from the time I sat down at Wilson Ave until I stood up at 6th. It's no wonder people miss their stops- that voice has a tone and cadence that makes it sleep-inducing.

[Justine]

Interesting post & I will have to find more things to take note of, just as an observer. Lately I feel more "annoyed" than interested (in people on the subway, etc.), but I'm sure taking a more positive approach is worthwhile! :)

"Realizing that the reason I never found Fraiser funny was because of the affected way he an Niles speak. I just don't believe them."

I liked Frasier sometimes--iirc there was a real dichotomy between the down-to-earth blue collar dad & his educated, psychiatrist sons. I think he also made fun of them sometimes for being (as he perceived) too foppish!

But, you HAVE to try to see some of Kelsey Grammer's acting on the recent STARZ series "Boss." He played the mayor of Chicago and I can't remember when I was as impressed by an actor's performance. His character Tom Kane is pretty evil and corrupt at times, with little touches of humanity & vulnerability here and there.

Seriously, try to watch it. He is a real contender for an Emmy this year.