At the same adorable bookstore where I found the memoirs, Unnameable Books, which I came across on Bergen Street during my venture into Park Slope yesterday (smaller even than Reading Frenzy, stacked floor to ceiling with used books), I also picked up a collection of stories Auster edited for NPR's National Story Project. We know by now that I'm a fan of stories collected from real people, and while I love web projects like Six-Word Memoirs and Fifty People, One Question, which collect stories via Twitter and video, it's nice to hold this book, turn the pages and catch a glimpse of people's lives.
On the train back to Brooklyn from Harlem last night, reading the book, I looked up for a moment and realized that six people around me were also reading, and the stories they chose seemed to offer a glimpse into their lives as well. Isn't it true that the stories we read say something about our own life stories? So now I'm keeping track of what I see people reading on the subway. And since I've been riding the subway a ton (see below), it keeps me entertained...
2/15, midnight, 2/3 to Brooklyn: 1776, Medical Terminology for Health Professionals, A Bona Fide Gold Digger, The Wave, New Moon, Bruiser 2
2/16, 2pm, 3 & Q to midtown: Janacek's Essays, A Civil Action
2/16, 5:30pm, R & F to LES: Mary Todd Lincoln, Eclipse
2/16, 11pm, 6 & 3 to Brooklyn: The Crown of Creation, New Moon
So the Twilight books are still pretty damn popular. Can't wait to see what other patterns I notice.
And now, to sum up the last three days:
Saturday, February 14
Melissa and I got a late start, making our way to the Brooklyn side of the Brooklyn Bridge nearing sunset. Turns out the light was gorgeous on the Manhattan skyline. But in just my red ballet flats, my toes were frozen by the time we landed in Manhattan, so we headed to Century 21 to warm up. During my first visit in 2003, I remember being unsettled by this temple of consumerism sitting so bright and shiny across from the hole of the WTC site. How frivolous. It still strikes me as odd, but maybe the best thing we can do for the country is spend a little. Eh? I managed to do my part by snapping up black Nine West booties for six bucks, plus a brown knit skirt for all of $2. Quite a stimulus package! Back in Brooklyn, we put on some dresses (and my new shoes!) and trekked to Bushwick to our friend Ellie's party. It's out there, and kind of a desolate area (except for the lofts that are surely awesome, with a view of the Chrysler Building). And Ellie didn't answer the phone to let us in. Weeee waaaaugh. One party: bust. But I saw a new area of Brooklyn, I was happy enough. Now back to the Park Slope/Fort Green area for Kim and Robin's friend's party. I was again happy when I emerged from the subway on Portland Avenue. PONY, straight up. At the party, I was content to eat cupcakes, drink wine, and girl talk in the kitchen. No romantic or crazy stories, but I swear I'd be happy to just wander the city all night. At least for a little while. Last stop: the fried chicken place on the corner by Kristen's place; chicken sandwich, macaroni salad and Sprite is yummy at 3am.
Sunday, February 15
Time to see Kim and Robin's place in Park Slope. First, a leisurely stroll from the subway along 5th Avenue, boutique/restaurant/bar/coffee shop central. It felt dense like Hawthorne between 34th and 37th, but looked more like Mississippi, and included high-end spots like the Pearl. And just like on a sunny Sunday in Portland, the strollers, puppies and hipsters were out in droves. Perhaps it's a good sign that I have pets on the brain, but I couldn't help noticing at least eight animal boutiques, spas, vets and daycares in probably a ten block radius at the most. Good sign that there's a huge market for the site, at least. I managed to avoid the clothing stores so I wouldn't be tempted, except for Brooklyn Industries, which is opening it's first store on the west coast in – where do you think? – Portland!
Since I've been living in Kristen's long puff coat from there, glad to know I'll be covered on both coasts when I need to invest in my own. (PDX store opens on March 12.) Also stopped in to Bob & Judi's Coolectibles, which I hoped would be packed with vintage treasures like SMUT or Flutter, but it was too well-organized, bright and clean – and expensive – for me to enjoy the hunt. I need to check out Under the Pig down the street, but so far, I fear that vintage shopping may be too sanitized and upmarket here, devoid of the mystery and quirk in Portland. As evening fell, I set out on my trek to Dinosaur BBQ in Harlem for dinner with Mari and friends, most of whom I've known through her since high school. I still can't believe the city is so big that the trip took an hour-and-a-half; you could be at the beach or the mountain from Portland in that time! At the same time, a city with so many different worlds to explore is pretty addicting. Anyway, good barbecue, even better company, and another loooooong ride back to Brooklyn, getting home near one. Exhausted. But still read late into the night.
Monday, February 16
Woke up to read. Saw Melissa off, back to DC. Headed to midtown to meet Andrew Rhodes at McGee's. Andrew worked at ASME and coordinated the internship program that first brought me to New York in 2003. So grateful to him for the opportunity! Unfortunately, he was laid off in December, so this was a commiseration and catch-up beer. I didn't know that Andrew grew up in West Virginia and moved to New York to become an actor in his 30s. Talk about gutsy! I hope this free time helps him get back in touch with that passion. A bit buzzed, I walked down through Times Square. I'm not ashamed to admit it – I love Times Square. It's so bright and busy, so far removed from everyday reality, I can get lost from all my cares and concerns. This surely marks me as a non-New Yorker, but I love to watch the tourists excite in the city and imagine what stories they'll tell when they get back home. Such a fascinating array of people. So much energy in one place. It gets me out of my head. Then headed down to the Lower East Side to meet Mari et al. Got drinks at Motor City Bar, which reminded me of Kelly's Olympian, but not as cool without the hanging motorcycles, and ate Latin American small plates at Paladar. Food was tasty, but the service was terribly slow and the decor looked as interesting as an airport bar. If that place can make it in such a trendy neighborhood, maybe I should open a restaurant. Ha! Endured all the train changes (thanks, construction) to get back home eventually. One night to have the place to myself. I think I may be more introverted than I've thought in the past.
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