beware of the moving T R A I N

Well, my first subway story was downright terrible, and my second was so delightfully sweet. This one is just weird, and maybe hilarious.

Recently, I was running late to work and when I miss my 8:55 train, then I have to take the 9:00 train. The 9 am train is always more crowded!! So its standing room only. I'm perched at the back of the train leaning on the pole, juggling my iced coffee, iPod, and Metro newspaper. Not only did I not want to stand, but I was really disappointed because doing the paper's crossword and sudoku standing up is out of the question. Three stops into my ride a seat opens up. The train hadn't stopped yet, but a man stood up a little early to be the first at the door, and the first off the train.

There are different kind of spots on the subway bench, even though all the benches are the same. The first spot is the "anorexic model" spot. If you aren't a four year old, you're not going to be able to squeeze in there. The second is the "body odor" spot. This is equally undesirable because the person before you most definitely was stinky, and even though they are gone, their odor is not! The third spot is the truly amazing one. I know what you are thinking. Save the best for last! Its the "business man" spot. This is the professional, dad type man who's in a suit and, preferable a little hefty. This is the spot that when you sit down, you don't have to rub elbows with your neighbor.

So, the business man stepped up from his spot and cautiously moved towards the door. I see this spot and know that I have to sit there. These kind of spots don't just pop up all time, and if you really want something, you go for it! So with iced coffee and crossword in hand, I move toward the open seat. Just as I turn to sit down, the train comes to a screeching hault! This catapults me into the lap of the man sitting in the seat next to mine!!

E M B A R R A S S I N G ! !

For real??!!

Yes this is real.  I'm now in the lap of a European man my dad's age. I then, awkwardly, slide into the right slip where I had intended to sit. He immediately and abruptly jumped off the train.

I'll never know if that was his stop.

pattie B O Y D

Imagine this...

You model with Twiggy. George Harrison asks you to marry him the day he meets you. And Eric Clapton seduces you from afar with "Layla." Pretty sweet life if you ask me. Visiting the Dakota a couple of days ago has really had me thinking about John Lennon's era and reminded me of Pattie Boyd's autobiography, Wonderful Tonight which I read a couple of years ago. If rock culture interests you at all, then I believe you would find this book as riveting as I did. I told you I have been sketching recently as a way to unwind and relieve stress. So today I used my interest in Pattie's life as fuel for a little sketch!

"the dominos had finally left hurtwood edge and moved into a flat in south kensington, which that afternoon was empty. eric took me there because he wanted me to listen to a song he had written. he switched on the tape machine, turned up the volume, and played me the most powerful moving song i had ever heard. it was 'layla' -about a man who falls hopelessly in love with a woman who loves him, but is unavailable." -pattie boyd, wonderful tonight.

How amazing? To be a muse of rock stars! She also loved photography and produced an exhibit that travelled Europe titled "Through the Eyes of a Muse". It documents her life with George, and then also with Eric. This is a picture of Pattie with George which was a part of her collection. I love the compostition of this photo, but also, I just love how natural it is. Kind of inspiring. Maybe a photoshoot later? Or even some textile designs. Who knows.

pic found at the Morrison Hotel Gallery

That's all for today. This week is going to be a very focused Beatles and Clapton iPod week. I just want to soak it all in!

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the dakota

When you work in luxury retail, your clients expect a level of service that is much higher than any other retail environment. With this being said, we deliver alot of our merchandise either to our client's hotel, if they are visiting, or to their apartment or home. Hand deliveries, I must say, have become a specialty of mine. I realize that there isn't much to a hand delivery, but I have become very familiar to service entrances and hailing cabs while holding 5 garment bags in hand.

Last week I got to take a hand delivery to an amazing building at 72nd Street and Central Park West. Apartments here range from 6-15 mil. No big. ha!

pic found here

t h e  D A K O T A.

 pic found here

This building was constructed from 1880-1884 and stands tall at the corner of Central Park. I think this photo is really amazing. It is so strange to think of Central Park without being completely surrounded by high rises. 

pic found here

Another interesting fact about the Dakota is that it is the building where John Lennon was assassinated. There's a fascinating exhibit titled "John Lennon in NYC" by Allan Tannenbaum.

This is a photo from that collection of Yoko Ono and John in 1980 standing in front of the Dakota.

the history in this city makes living here so much more interesting.

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pen pals

Currently, I am receiving mail. The three devoted writers in my life are currently my mom, my grandfather, and my mom's best friend Marimae. Marimae has been so supportive of me throughout this move and my search in this grand city. Her home is one of the beautiful homes in historic downtown Murfreesboro, TN and it reminds me of what my life was growing up in a small southern town. Its a feeling I find myself craving. While I love the hustle and bustle of my newfound life, its important not to forget from where I have come.

I never used to draw. But lately, I have found sketching very theraputic and rewarding. I like the feeling of converting a blank page in my sketchbook to something that represents icons of value in my life. Last week I sketched Marimae's beautiful southern home, and it honestly doesn't seem that far away anymore.

E A S T   M A I N   S T R E E T

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battery P A R K

 free fun at sunset on the southern tip of manhattan.

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