Celebrity

Walking around the streets of New York City can be a rewarding experience in itself. You never know what or who you're going to see. For instance, today I saw a "homeless" lady dressed in the usual garb, knee bent on a cardboard box, holding up a sign-- typed and laminated. How is that possible? Where does one homeless individual get the means, nay the funds to even print and laminate a notecard? A lot is said about consistency (I suppose its the Public Relations guy in me), but am I honestly expected to donate change when the story just doesn't seem to coincide with what you're selling? On the other hand, New Yorkers walk the streets of Fifth Avenue (where my office is), Soho (where my gym is) and the Dekalb Ave. subway platform (where I frequent to ride the train) like it's nobodies business-- and it really isn't. You'd think more than half this city were posterchildren for Banana Republic or Urban Outfitters. I fall victim to my own judgement. I mean it's great to see people actually taking care of themselves outside the normal hygiene standards. Although, by the smell of some subway cars it's safe to think deoderant hasn't made its way into the hearts and medicine cabinets of some people's bathrooms. Everyone here likes to dress up, show up and add their own personality to what they throw on in the morning. Perhaps the best thing about it is... not everyone is wearing the same damn thing as you. Case in point-- Gainesville. Chances were you and the guy next to you had the same shirt and shorts on from American Eagle or Abercrombie. Little variation and personality for that matter existed in the bubble that is Titletown.

So what's this post really about? Did I just want to comment on New Yorkers styles? Not really. It's greater than that. Allow me to paint a picture. In Florida there's the haves and the have nots. The haves make it known that they have. They flaunt it. Show it off. Ride it around. Carry it on their arm. Live in it. Talk about it. Breathe it. Smell of it. And of course never fail to remind you that they come from it. In New York there's the haves and the beggers. The difference lies in the haves desire to remain composed, humble, practical and modest about their material wealth. Sure some of the wealthiest people in the world live and work in New York. Yes, you see the luxurious side of people here, but the class distinction is less evident. It's not as in-your-face as it is in Florida. People don't seem compelled to show it off and talk about it. It's not given second thought. It's nice not to have that distinction here. It's nice to feel like a person undefined by the price tag on your things.

One of my theories is that New Yorkers can't afford to flaunt their shit-- otherwise they'll get mugged and have it ripped right out of their hands. I still don't carry my wallet in my back pocket so as not to get pickpocketed. Even though I'm sure it doesn't happen as much as this city is notorious for. My second theory is that walking along the streets of New York there is so much variety and ways of life in front of you all at once that you become unphased by the idea of something nice. For instance, a beautiful Mercedes SL500 parallel parked outside Saks 5th Avenue with a homeless bum slumped over a bench sleeping through the honks and hustling of the street just a few feet away. It's almost like life is contradicted here. You can't have too much of something "GREAT" with a reminder of something "TERRIBLE." Another example would be the beauty of the brownstones and highrises juxtaposed (I don't even know if that's the right word) with the garbage bags piled up just outside its fancy revolving doors and flights of stairs.

My point is, what has made the transition into this city so easy is that life is not defined by someone else's standards. It's really left up to your personal aspirations and limitations. It sounds like a simple concept that should be followed by all no matter what city you live in, but I feel as though it is often difficult when a standard has already been defined for you. With the individualism and personalization of this "melting pot" of a city-- it's no wonder hundreds have flock here every day. This city has been defined by the immigrants of yesteryear and the hungry hopefuls of tomorrow. That's where many other cities have a lot of catching up to do.