15 of the Worst Things I’ve Seen on The New York Subway

1. The person who opened a can of tuna and nonchalantly ate directly from the aluminum while we all grimaced at the fishy sent.

2. The couple who gets on the subway in the middle of an argument. They may try to keep it civil while in a tightly enclosed space, but as likely as not fail. It’s either uncomfortable for everyone or almost fun to feel everyone on the train picking sides.

3. The guy singing to himself. He thinks he’s being quiet enough so no one else hears. He is wrong. (He might also be my boyfriend.)

4. People who leave their phone sound on and play games. DRIVES ME NUTS. But isn’t quite as disrespectful as

5. People who openly listen to music without headphones. NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR MUSIC. I actually said that to a guy doing this once, and guess what? Not only did he not turn off his music, he called me a bitch, repeatedly for the rest of the ride! Read More

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[Replay Cliché] I’ll Make Up A Biker Boyfriend If It Makes Life Easier

This post completely changed my blog. I wrote it in 2013 and it was “Freshly Pressed” by WordPress. This allowed my writing to reach thousands of new readers; a total game changer. It feels apropos to share this again the day after the Women’s March, in the midst of #MeToo. Why do I march? To live in a world where no one ever needs to make up a biker boyfriend again…

 I spent my weekend working at the International Motorcycle Show. The convention center was filled to capacity with leather garments, reprehensible hair cuts, flinch-inducing tattoos, and TESTOSTERONE. With the male to female ratio an astounding 10:1, this may be the #1 place to meet a man in NYC. If you’re into muscled biker types, buy your ticket for next year’s show NOW. My job, as it so often is, was to stand, smile, and look pretty (and interest people in a brand/sell a product- it is actually work). I spent the entire weekend fighting off men. Not surprisingly, they are a more aggressive bunch than the ComicCon nerds lot.

motorcycleshow
The 2013 International Motorcycle Show
Oh woe is me! It’s so hard being a pretty girl! The constant flattery, frequent free drinks, rarely having to open a door for myself, it’s exhausting! 

I can feel the collective eye roll from some dude-readers.

It’s such a pretty girl cliché to complain about the men who hit on us. Read More

Street Art Saturday: Pussy Hat Art a Year After the Women’s March

Today marks the one year anniversary of the Women’s March. Here is some street art inspired by the march that I found on the streets in Soho.

This is one of the most inventive, least invasive street art take over’s I’ve seen. The black birds are made out of plastic, artist unknown. The pussy hats were almost certainly put on by someone other than the artist: they are simply pink post-it notes cut into pussy shapes and stuck on the plastic!

“just resist!” by Goldloxe

Have you seen any street art inspired by the Women’s March, #MeToo, or other protests?

Weekly New York Minutes – #1

Some of the fleeting moments in my week that made me stop and think, “I’m so lucky to live in NYC!”

Unexpected live stalk lurking betwixt lime green benches.

This heifer is outside Bubby’s Restaurant. Is her name Bubby? I don’t know! I’ve actually never eaten here but Nikki went on on her recent NYC visit- check out her post raving about Bubby’s pancakes. 

Christmas decorations still up one month after the holiday.

Even the NYPD’s pathetic, but strangely charming, attempt to make police barriers festive at 145th Street subway station.    Read More

Guest Post: Born and Raised a New York Native….But Now?

My lovely reader Katherine wrote this post, musing about the city she has known since birth. Please enjoy this post that offers a very different perspective from mine!

I am not a tourist. Really.

Although born in Connecticut, I grew up in Manhattan. Central Park was my playground; Riverside Park was school recess. I played Skee-Ball at Coney Island. I did my math homework on the D train coming home from Bronx Science. I never saw Woody Allen, but I knew exactly which subway car would put me in front of the stand that sold soft pretzels when I reached my stop.

As you can see from the list, these are all childhood activities. I never dated in New York. I never paid rent. I never had to put on panty hose and struggle through public transportation to reach a job interview. I never adulted.

When I was 14, I moved to suburban Maryland. Since then I have spun farther and farther out into the country. I have washed ashore in the rural heart of reddest America. Psychologically, I am as far from the Upper West Side as one can get and still be in the United States.

Part of me never left New York.

Read More

A Search for the Perfect New York City Print (Spoiler: Photowall Saves the Day!)

I’ve reached a new level of NYC obsession. I now love NYC inside and out. See, it’s not enough to have New York all around me the minute I step outside my apartment! I need it inside my apartment too!

I was on a mission to find the perfect New York City art piece to hang in my apartment.

When you live in a tiny shoe box of a #newyorkcliche apartment, space is a premium. This includes wall space. The one place in all of New York City that is mine, all mine? I want it to be vibrant, creative, and colorful.

Finding the right piece was completely overwhelming. Comb the internet and you’ll find approximately 8 million different prints capturing this city of 8 million people. Great, one for each! How the hell to choose? And once I choose, what if the quality is shit??

 

I got really lucky. Like when-you-descend-the-subway-steps-and-train-is-there-waiting-for-you lucky.  A company called Photowall swooped in and saved me from being crushed under the weight of too many options. This Swedish company boasts a passion for design and quality and has a 100% guarantee. Worth a try right? Then they offered to send me a piece for free in exchange for an honest review. How could I say no? Read More

New York Cliché of the Day: Fur Coat Fashion in the City

To the unaccustomed eye, it might look like NYC has its own version of Big Foot. Furry creatures that live in the subway systems (perhaps?) and emerges when the temperatures dip below freezing. They walk among us and New Yorkers are so jaded we don’t bat an eye? Are they some Star Wars lovechild of Wookiees and Ewoks?

Nah, they’re just women who aren’t afraid to wear fur in New York City.

You might think this looks like a messy PETA confrontation waiting to happen but it’s surprisingly common in the Big Apple.

New York City is fur country, ya hear?

I’ve seen a anti-fur protest or two (mostly outside Canada Goose in Soho) but they involved graphic signs of coyotes and chants like “Fur isn’t fashion! Where the hell is your compassion!” Read More