Homecoming

Gentle reader, please relax and allow me to regale you with tales of that Gotham jewel: New York City.

I arrived shortly after nightfall. Twas not my first visit to the Big Apple, so I immediately recognized the stench wafting in as the train's doors opened. My nose confirmed the conductor's announcements; I had arrived at my destination.

No doubt about it, New York is a huge city. Too big, in fact. I dislike how long it takes to get around, and how expensive it is, and how many people there are. And how dirty and stinky it was.

Don't get me wrong, though... It was lovely fun to visit, but I would very much prefer to not live there at any point in my future.

The week went by quickly. I engaged in various tourist pursuits, exploring Central Park, the Met, and the Natural History Museum. I visited Staten Island, saw the Statue of Liberty, hung out at 30 Rock, viewed the cityscape from The Empire State Building's viewing deck, and wandered the meandering streets of the Village.

I enjoyed traipsing around the city, despite the blisters on my feet. I ate delicious bagels for breakfast and dined on exotic cuisine by night. (Mostly Thai. Sooo good!)

All in all, it was glorious... and I am very pleased to be home.

Standing at the edge of endless oblivion

Yesterday evening, I was wading in the surf at high-tide. The sun was setting behind me, and I stood before an endless stretch of water. Its untold murky depths inspired my thoughts to wax philosophical for the first time in all of my visits to the beach. To borrow from Calvin & Hobbes, it made me want to go inside and turn on all the lights.

It is interesting to have lived abroad and now be home again. Occasionally I still get culture shocked. In these situations, I feel like a tourist visiting a foreign land, here to observe the American people and their way of life. I can't quite decide if this is annoying or wonderful. Often times I find myself enjoying the ability to see things through a different viewpoint, but just as often I find myself a little bit scared that I have forever lost my ability to just be an American in America.

Last night, there was a huge storm front about 50 miles inland. It provided an amazing electrical show that was as entertaining as any fireworks I've ever seen. I enjoyed it, along with a cool night-time beach breeze, while I smoked a cigar. Sometimes there are sublime moments where you are completely at peace and content with life... I savor such fleeting occasions. Last night was one such time, and it was delicious.

Vacation!

I'll be going to the beach this week, leaving here in a bit... I might not get a chance to post while I'm out of town so consider yourself warned, faithful reader.

Did I use singular case because I only have one faithful reader? No! It was... it was just a thematic choice. That's all.

Anyways, beach ahoy! I'll make sure to report on any oil if it happens to appear in South Carolina.