‘Cause its always wants upon a time in New York City

There are countless sayings about New York City regarding it as a place of opportunity, but also of hard knocks. Many hopeful entertainers visit the big apple to build up momentum in their career in order to launch into the oblivion that is Hollywood. For those attempting to break into Broadway or a professional dance career, New York is a must. Anyone trying to go corporate, working for the New York City headquarters of a major corporation is an achievement all in itself. Manhattan remains the center of the finance world, the heart of big American business beats beneath the NYC streets.

The city is alive with hustle, as of the 2009 census 8.3 million people live in Manhattan with another seven million living in the outlying five boroughs and another four to five million commuters living in the Northern New Jersey area, the sheer volume of people is overwhelming. There is just something about seeing the skyline and being in the city that can motivate a certain type of person. For some, the crowds and the pace scare them, but for me, it feels like home. It is the variety of people, the food, the lights, the sounds, the static in the air, it’s something you can’t put your finger on, but you just can’t beat New York. Finding success can prove difficult, and the big apple can be cruel, but there is no place like it. America was once a land of opportunity, and although this is still is true, opportunity has become much more difficult to find. I wish all my friends who are trying to make it here the best! “Cause if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.”



and yes this song is from Oliver and Company

Situational Awareness

Situational Awareness- attempting to identify and analyze variables as they relate to a current problem


Everything is a puzzle. I begin at a current event and attempt to follow it to the many possible logical ends depending upon variables and reactions that can affect the situation. Often I will become lost in my own head, thinking deeply upon future outcomes. Situational awareness is a vital skill for workers in the aviation field or high stress situations. For me, it’s mostly a hobby. In an effort to cure my own boredom and enhance my writing skills I would like to assess a current “problem” facing me in roughly 7 and a half hours as I travel to pick up a girlfriend from LaGuardia Airport.

At 7:00 EST my girlfriend will be arriving at LaGuardia Airport, NY from Palm Beach International Airport, FL. Her arrival time will give me ample room to leave straight from work, so there is no issue there. The biggest problem lies within the confines of hurricane Earl. Earl is off the coast of the Carolinas and is making its way up the East Coast, forecasted to make direct contact with New England, particularly Nantucket Island. The storm has been forecasted to brush the greater New York City area, beginning around three O’clock with showers taering off around midnight. The rain coincides directly with Etta’s flight time. I would assume that Delta will be changing their flight pattern to remain inland so that the only contact with the hurricane will be when the aircraft touches down in Queens. I will be obsessively checking the flight status and the prospective weather as the day goes on.

Driving will prove difficult, and I plan on preparing myself all day for the traffic in my direct future. According to Google maps, the drive from my place of employment to LaGuardia airport takes approximately 40 minutes, not bad. Although today is no ordinary day. Compounding upon the aforementioned weather problems, it is also Labor Day weekend, the last “official” weekend of summer. Add to this rush hour traffic, going into New York City, and the rain, and it is possible that this drive could take me up to an hour and a half. Other traffic variables include the Yankees and Mets playing at home, which will most likely not have any influence. The Mets are playing in Chicago against the Cubs, and the Yankees game against the Blue Jays is at home, but will most likely be rained out or have little attendance due to inclement weather. I am hoping that the rain, will cut down on the traffic and that many vacationers will wait until tomorrow to head off to long island for their final weekend in the sun. Weather is set to be beautiful for the rest of Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

My hope is that the flight will be delayed. Etta’s house is a mere 5 minutes from the airport, and if she checks her flight status just before leaving she will be able to wait for her flight in the comfort of her own downtown apartment. The flight delay will allow me to travel home from work, eat dinner with my family, and avoid rush hour traffic in New York City on a Friday night during a Holiday weekend. But things do not always work out the way we want them to. Should the flight be completely cancelled, which I think is not going to happen, Etta plans to fly in on Saturday morning. We will most likely just stay in the city and enjoy the day.

Until the time comes it is likely that I will obsess over the internet checking weather patterns and flight statuses until 5:00 hits. From there my two options will be to travel to NY or to travel back to home base. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.

Sounded Good in My Head But its Probably Not

I am a furnace; my thirst for information is ravenous.
Call me a blend of frustration, determination, and confusion.
Wondering where we go from here,
Wanting to form a plan, but knowing there isn’t one.
I attempt to foresee the paths of the future, every outcome;
Yet the universe remains wondrous in all its entropy.
I focus, I am active, My knowledge increases,
Just hoping that this is all for the best,
Hoping I don’t have to say, “I Knew You When…”




These guys are awesome by the way, one of my favorite bands of old.  I saw them at the Knitting Factory in Manhattan about three blocks from ground zero.  Apparently the Knitting Factory closed this location and has now moved to Brooklyn.  Oh well...here is another one of their songs, I dont think this band even exists anymore.