[Edited to add: For anyone reading this without any context, when I moved to NYC, I got into an abusive relationship and was sexually assaulted, so I had a lot of weird feelings about New York. So, this is just a post on a good NY day.]
I recently returned from Dublin to New York.
I don’t know what happened. If the city was sprayed with California while I was gone or something. But usually, whenever I land in New York, I see someone doing something that reminds me, “Ugh, yeah. I’m baaaack.”
(For instance, not long ago, I saw these guys getting into a kerfuffle in the aisle over basically who was getting out first when there was ALREADY A GIANT LINE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM! Holy Pete, do you really care if you’re number 66 or number 67 to get off the plane?)
But today. Oh, today.
The first person I had an interaction with after getting off the plane was the taxi dispatcher who said, “How are you?” (How are you?!) Not just [*heavy Queens accent*] “and wheres do you wanna go, heh?”
“Times Sq – Oh. I mean, uh, uh, I’m uh, I’m… I’m doing well. Thank you. How are you?” I was taken aback. A little small talk. Here?
And THEN the CAB DRIVER started having a conversation with me. (What?!)
AND THEN recently, usually I’ve been walking to work because it’s close. But I’m in the midst of decorating my office, etc etc. [blah blah blah excuses for taking a car instead of walking], I ended up in an uber to work and the uber driver and I became fast friends and he played this comedy album for me I hadn’t heard and we were cracking up together.
And I was like, “WHAT ON EARTH IS HAPPENING IN THIS PLACE?!”
Maybe it’s because I’m trying (key word, trying) to have a better attitude about this place, and the universe is like, “yeah, it’s cool. Don’t sweat it. Enjoy New York again.”
Whatever the reason, New York was really lovely and inviting today. Dang!