With the Upper West Side mommies
NEW YORK
Starbucks, Columbus and 76th
Missing the cramped stinkiness of the Bombay internet cafes, the smoky 24-hour-ness of the Athens one, the en route excitement of the airport lounge terminals. You miss those edges when perched on a Starbucks stool with mommy groups all around, discussing sugar content of Teddy Grahams, Ethan's bad words at the parent-teacher.
The Upper West side this morning is hitting all its high notes, adhering to the stereotypes. New York neighborhoods rarely step out of character and Starbucks (chained to this place by my T-Mobile access) ideal viewing blinds from which to spot a cross section of neighbrohood species. Starbucks also on message - crunchy, world-wise Christmas on tap. Gospel Christmas tunes now, surely something quirkily familiar will follow, Holiday Favorites showcased by the register - the Pottery Bar-ization of Christmas, when exactly did this start?
Yesterday's Asia Society meeting (for February Gala India benefit) a bizarre flip side to my India trip. Majority of ladies on the planning committee (the one man who showed bravely at last meeting, mia at this one), very very wealthy New York NRI's - a cozy community of the immensely well connected, cultured and bejeweled. Discussing who to approach as sponsors for Benefactors tables, the big names flew and the connections webbed thick. Everyone, it seems, knows just about everyone (who's anyone) and they either saw eachother the night before or a husband schooled with the brother...I felt the poor token cousin - fratically scrolling through my mind's outlook for a name that would fly in the elevated company. A glimpse of a brand new world for me, peek into the power workings of (I imagine) a very influential set in the city.
Lunch and blog tutorial with Cin now at Schiller's. Trying to get a handle on how I can take this to a new level - move outside the template and set this little blog free.
It's cold in New York. Warm hugs to all stil reading this though travels have ended...
C
Starbucks, Columbus and 76th
Missing the cramped stinkiness of the Bombay internet cafes, the smoky 24-hour-ness of the Athens one, the en route excitement of the airport lounge terminals. You miss those edges when perched on a Starbucks stool with mommy groups all around, discussing sugar content of Teddy Grahams, Ethan's bad words at the parent-teacher.
The Upper West side this morning is hitting all its high notes, adhering to the stereotypes. New York neighborhoods rarely step out of character and Starbucks (chained to this place by my T-Mobile access) ideal viewing blinds from which to spot a cross section of neighbrohood species. Starbucks also on message - crunchy, world-wise Christmas on tap. Gospel Christmas tunes now, surely something quirkily familiar will follow, Holiday Favorites showcased by the register - the Pottery Bar-ization of Christmas, when exactly did this start?
Yesterday's Asia Society meeting (for February Gala India benefit) a bizarre flip side to my India trip. Majority of ladies on the planning committee (the one man who showed bravely at last meeting, mia at this one), very very wealthy New York NRI's - a cozy community of the immensely well connected, cultured and bejeweled. Discussing who to approach as sponsors for Benefactors tables, the big names flew and the connections webbed thick. Everyone, it seems, knows just about everyone (who's anyone) and they either saw eachother the night before or a husband schooled with the brother...I felt the poor token cousin - fratically scrolling through my mind's outlook for a name that would fly in the elevated company. A glimpse of a brand new world for me, peek into the power workings of (I imagine) a very influential set in the city.
Lunch and blog tutorial with Cin now at Schiller's. Trying to get a handle on how I can take this to a new level - move outside the template and set this little blog free.
It's cold in New York. Warm hugs to all stil reading this though travels have ended...
C
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