Down the Rabbit Hole: Untitled

Life is a funny rollercoaster, especially Mondays. We wake up each morning with such well-defined expectations, and sometimes they fail us. I find nothing more frusterating than situations I have no control over. I guess that's human though.

My life plan involves the love of my life: New York City, but my time here (for now) is counting down and I may have to spend a a year or two away from my new home, due to the structure of my job position and their evil relocation plan for me. New York is one of those places where getting "just a taste" is far from fulfilling, and I think you'd have to drag me tooth and nail to take me away from here. Even after just one weekend away from the city I am always relieved to return.

The most incredible thing is how the most awe-inspiring things about the city can turn so mundane. Only after leaving and returning again am I struck by the people, the fashion, the bustle of the city, the opportunity, and its convenience. I don't think I will ever take it for granted, but its nice when such an intense place starts to feel comfortable and normal.

It's not just that. I think I could live here for the rest of my life and lead totally different existences over time. There is no industry or job that you cannot find in New York. There is no lack of new people to meet, plays to see, parties to go to, images to photograph. Someone recently told me you can get tired here, but never bored.

And for some reason, even when something is upsetting or dissapointing me, I am OK with it because there is always the potential for something else or someone else so long as I'm here.

ASVP upside down, LES

Owl Stencils, LES

And while I am still here, I will be taking advantage of everything this exceptional city has to offer.

Recently this meant attending the West Village Halloween Parade, the NY Philharmonic, the New York Comedy Festival featuring Tracy Morgan, and the Broadway musical production Memphis.

Parade-goers dressed up in costume for Halloween

NY Philharmonic

I'll be honest. I have not seen a Broadway show since I was ten years old, so I was very excited to attend my first Broadway musical in over decade this past weekend. Plotline aside, the work that goes into these productions and the quality of the singing and dancing are so incredible that it's hard not to bob along to the music, even if you don't know the songs. I found the show utterly enjoyable.

Memphis on Broadway

And what would Broadway be without Times Square...

Times Square at dusk

Essex St., LES

These "Gandhi" post-its are showing up everywhere

Funny seeing you here!

This next image is really cool. This artist, Jay Shells, has implemented his own "Metropolitan Etiquette Authority" by putting up his own rules throughout the city, stating blatantly what most New Yorkers understand as common sense, but maybe we overestimate the courtesies we expect of others...

Jay Shells, MEA

Rae

Company

Faust and other sticker tags

LES, "I'm Pi" stencil

Jim Joe definitely wins the award for most widespread presence in New York. I don't think I have passed a single block without seeing this name.

Jim Joe on Houston

Curtis Kulig's "Love Me"

Obey with caution

(Below) As sad as I am to see JR's "Lakota North Dakota" go, Faile's new piece on Tony Goldman's graffiti wall on Houston and Bowery brings color and excitement to the block.