Everyday Canvas

In Manhattan

In August we went back to NYC. One can never run out of moments and memories in Manhattan. While there, I wrote longhand on paper sheets instead of my blog or personal journal. Consulting those notes, I came across a few memories, and now I am picking one of them.

We were in a lounge having wine and watching the sun set over the city. My camera was on the side of the table. I thought, how odd that in a city that used to be my home, I am now a tourist.

Just then our waiter-slash-hostess appeared with munchies. She had a tiny coil pierced into the edge of one ear. Other than that, she was very proper, thin, and shapely in her black two piece suit. One could take her as a Wall Street executive. She seemed to be in her thirties, with a well-tanned face that carried a hint of boyishness, despite the seriousness of her dark rimmed glasses.

When she saw my tiny camera, she offered to take our pictures. I gladly accepted. She took the camera and frowned. Then she changed some things about it, explaining all the while what she was doing, using photographer words like ISO, shutter speed, etc. Then she took a few shots.

"Are you a photographer?" I asked.

"I actually am," she said. She explained she had a tiny store in the village and was working in the lounge to keep her store open. I knew almost immediately that I was talking to an artist.

In a big city, finances are one of the tough realities of being an artist, which rarely attracts attention or is talked about. With sky-high rents, finding and maintaining work space and being able to support oneself at the same time is a gargantuan undertaking. But the photographer/hostess said, it was all worth it for her because the city inspired her the most.

I think it is disappointing when an artist has to struggle like that in order to express and contribute to a worldview of beauty, peace, love, and joy, but then all art has a price, in monetary terms or not, and this is the way of the vibrant and energetic City of Manhattan.


Fourteen Pros and Cons of Living in Manhattan

1. Tons of stuff going on. You can't be bored.
2. NY is the launching pad for careers, if you are lucky and know how to take advantage of opportunities
3. There are many free things to do, such as concerts, classes, and libraries.
4. There are things to do also that are educational that may be for a small price or very costly.
5. It is a heaven for people watchers.
6. Most talented artists from all arts live here.
7. Public transportation is great.
8. The city is quite safe.
9. Rents are high, and if you are not a multimillionaire, be ready to live in a one room place while sharing it with a roommate.
10. Restaurants, grocery stores, and more or less everything is costly.
11. If you are looking for a serious relationship, don't look for it here. Each is for his own.
12. Places may become loud and smelly.
13. Streets in downtown, especially on the weekends, can be too crowded, and not just the traffic but the sidewalks as well.
14. Taxes are way too high.

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Prompt: Think back on the month of August 2014. Find a moment, one moment, that stands out in your memory - be it good, bad, or a little bit of both. Share it with us.
(inspired by prompt suggestions from Elle # - Thanks)

And, LISTers, remember to include your list. 14 items linked in some way to your blog entry.