This is my 3rd Saturday in the “Big Apple.”
I heard from Jyoti today, who heard from her Korean friend who lives across the street and went with us to the ballet last night, that as said Korean friend was entering her building she observed a small Chinese woman being mugged. Or rather, the aftermath. She didn’t know it was a mugging at the time, but evidently two African-American males assaulted her, got stuff from her and walked off down the street. Several other people evidently witnessed it as well.
Jyoti was a bit disturbed by this; this is considered a safe enough neighborhood, and she’s never had any such difficulties.
This evening she’s off to a “Suicide Prevention Walk” of sorts that started at 8pm and goes for 20 miles or so, ending in the morning sometime. Thus I have the evening to myself. I went to Starbucks for coffee and a chance to read, doodle, and listen to my iPod. Perhaps my iPod Mini is in such great shape because I use it so little. When I first got it, shortly before going to Berlin, I thought if using it primarily for audio books. I listened to a couple Artemis Fowl books on it as well as the beginning of “Inkheart” … which I mean to finish. I’ve listened to some music, but I’ve never been a big fan of headphones and I fear losing my hearing through misuse of them, so I stay away, I guess. I listened to a variety of things in the coffee shop, including some Bach (Goldberg Variations), some of the Doctor Who soundtrack, and some Gogol Bordello, which reminded me to see whether Gogol Bordello was in town … alas, no, not until later in the summer. But G.B. will be in Budapest for the Sziget festival (formerly “Pepsi Island”).
I doodled on a sketch I started yesterday, and I like where it’s gone, but I don’t have enough room on the page around it to create the frame/encapsulation for it that I wanted.
The Japanese couple (goth-lolita girl and asian-fro guy) came buy to get drinks but left after buying them. Most people just came in to get take-out. Once I was done — and I got some more of the wonderful Kafka on the Shore read — I headed across the street for a slice of cheese pizza … truly a large slice, and only $3, which isn’t bad. Pizza is common enough and enough of a cultural thing here, like Döner in Berlin, that everyone gets it — lower classes, working classes, middle classes, all colors, and that’s refreshing in a way. It makes it cultural, not just a commodity.
I thought of stopping by Duane Reade for chocolate milk (if they carry it) and toothpaste, but instead I just came home. Perhaps I’ll watch a movie or TV. Tomorrow evening Jyoti and I will attend an Italian film screening at Lincoln Center, “Schopenhauer.” Tuesday we have Shakespeare in the Park, if we manage to get tickets, which leaves Monday evening, but Monday day will be Downtown and Liberty & Ellis islands. If i get up early tomorrow I could hit the Empire State Building … I’ve been putting that off, I guess. $20. But I might as well put out … not like I’ll be back here any time soon.
