I'm from Florida

As one would imagine, being the new guy around town can sometimes be a little intimidating. You're never really sure what to expect, or how people will react. Fortunately, I've had the chance to meet and socialize with some really open-minded, intellectual and interesting people. Especially this weekend. I ended up meeting up with Chris (from London) to show him my place, and he invited me to a get together he was having with some of his friends a little further into Brooklyn. I was hesitant at first, but the night turned out to be a really great opportunity to meet cool young people with similar lifestyles and interests. We arrived to the apartment, and I had some reservations about the type of people that would be on the otherside of the heavy wooden door. I suppose its my judgemental elitist Gainesville-Bubble mentality, but I automatically assumed Chris' friends would be like Chris USE to be... fratty. To my surprise and what became delight everyone there was really chill, laid-back, indie-esque, youngin's ranging from 22-26-- including another Florida alum who happened to be a public relations major from 2004.

What's interesting is that when you find yourself in a new environment there is a wonderful opportunity to really start off on the right foot, let people know the kind of person you are and make an impression on them. You can create a persona. You have a clean slate. What's more, everyone in New York is welcoming. It seems like everyone here is from somewhere else, but in a similar sense always dreamt of making it to the Big Apple. It has been so easy, fun and exciting to jump into situations such as these without apprehension, concern or the slightest bit of worry about what to expect. Chris' friends (Lauren, Crystal, Dierdra, Burt and Tom) were hospitable and made me feel comfortable. It was nice to go into a setting where the conversation just flowed and I could use my sarcasm without being misunderstood. As with any gathering we began drinking, jamming and eventually made ourselves to the roof of the 5 story walk-up where I caught a glimpse of that all too familiar skyline so many dream associate America and good fortune with.

The city has an interesting way of steering you in many directions despite your desire to "take it easy and not drink." Its easy to get caught up in the excitement of being around people who have the ability to make you feel at home even when you are a complete stranger. It was as though I had known them for days, months or even years the way it just seemed to click without a second thought. We then headed out to St. Mark's Street in Manhattan via Avenue A and 7th Street where we met up with some more of Chris' old co-workers at a bar titled "Hops Devil" with an enormous selection of beers on tap from around the world. There I got my first taste of networking and "adult" social scene. I was one of the youngest people of the bunch, but I never for a second thought twice about the situation. I was able to maintain a conversation with a 28-year-old Jewish Venezuelan Therapist who happened to be one of Chris' friend's girlfriend. Her boyfriend was a marketing and programming director of sorts of a video gaming company based outside of Manhattan. I told him I had done PR for Edios (the developer who created Tomb Raider) and the conversation sort of took of from there leading him to give me his business card, so we could stay in touch. To my dismay I hadn't received my business cards from my job yet, but I just thought it very mature to have had the chance to actually say "lets exchange business cards." It's weird, but cool. LOL.

This weekend I've had the joy of getting to know and meet many "New Yorkers," and none have lived up to the stigma of being rude and inconsiderate. Perhaps its that this city is comprised of so many people who have migrated to the city (to use a trite term) "where anything can happen" that no one is really a "New Yorker." I've also found myself being comfortable with saying "I'm from Florida" as if it allows me to get away with a little bit more while I get acclamated to the city. The general reaction is "Why would you leave Florida" and "Do you know how cold it gets here?" or "How come everyone wants to come to New York." None are meant in a belittling way, but I suppose its easy not to comprehend the mysticism of New York when you've grown accustom to it. Again, I never want to lose the naivety or optimism I've seemed to have nourished about this city. I truly believe it is what keeps us young and keeps life interesting because without it we become cold, bitter and unimpressed by the little things that make something exciting. SCROOGE.

I'm going into my second week at work tomorrow, and I have to say that I'm looking forward to it. The weekend was great. I had my few drinks, my socializing and my brunch with friends out in Caroll Garden (think a small Maine style downtown area in the middle of Brooklyn). I asked my roommate Dara if it was weird that we both were looking forward to going to work tomorrow, and she merely replied "It just means we have really good jobs." I couldn't agree more. There's a time for work and there's a time for play. It's nice to have the weekends to "play," because the week of work makes you appreciate the leisure time even more. Here we go: Week 2



Reader's Note: As some of you (if anyone does actually read this) may know that this blog started out with my adventures abroad. It has quickly turned into my stories about New York, and an outlet of expression. I never envisioned my blog to become a source of free expression, which explains the long entries. I appreciate the time it takes you to read this because in a way I write for you to gain a better sense of where I am and where I am coming from. It's my way of keeping my friends close and in tune with the occurrences of my life. Albeit I can get a little too "EMO" for even myself sometimes on this thing. I would just hate to have a "falling out" of sorts with my friends because neither side made any effort to update one another about their lives, which leads to awkward reunions filled with meaningless conversations that leave you wondering why you were friends with eachother in the first place. I suppose my true attempt with my blog is to maintain those friendships I've come to cherish and value with friends I've made and lost, so as to avoid the occurrence of a "falling out." So thank you for reading, and I would love to hear the stories that make up your lives wherever it is that you find yourself (i.e. Miami, Washington, Ft. Lauderdale, New Hampshire or Australia).