I'm having one right now. Waking up to the city. I feel very lucky.

and you are, have a fabulous day

The NY moments don't end when you move here - they just keep going. I've been here 2 years and already have many - some funny, some creepy, some awkward, some sexy, some 'did that really just happen' moments.

Most of these moments involve strangers and adventures in people watching. I was so suprised at how open strangers were to interaction, more than any other place I've lived. Everyone has a story - you just have to be willing and open to receive it.

The one 'NY' moment I think to often, now that I'm 'in the matrix' and never going back - was one of my first nights out when I moved here - met a friend and her coworkers at a lounge. At that point, I was very new and feeling overwhelmed, insecure, exhausted. Coworkers are introduced to me one by one and the last was your classic stereotype: the sardonic, flamboyant gay man - very stylish and sarcastic. My friend introduces me and mentions I just moved here. He looks me up and down and says, "welcome to New York. I hope you make it."

Didn't do much for my confidence. I thought, man I made a mistake. The sharks smell fresh meat. But, I brushed it off and kept trucking on. Everyone says your first year of living here is like the first year of marriage - 'if you can make it through the first year, you're golden'. So I just got on with it.

After the overwhelming haze lifted, I started to see the great city that I moved to and was awed and grateful. I was so unsure before moving, thinking I was too 'soft' for this town, would go broke and live in a rathole. But, sure enough I found my footing quickly and next thing I knew, a year was up.

My gift to myself on my 'anniversary' was a NY drivers license. It was like I was 16 again - so excited. I'm 2 years in and loving it. Living and working sucessfully, new welcoming friends, great apt and a great sense of direction. I too, roll my eyes at wide eyed tourists sometimes, but secretly, their excitement and wonder reminds you how fortunate you are to live here.

Now that I'm here for good, time to time I think of that cutting remark from that guy two years ago. I still run into him socially and he's softened to me considerably But I think of who I was then and who I've become and am so proud of myself for proving him and my inner voice wrong.

Walking down a busy avenue and being passed on one side by a famous porn star and on the other by Cody Franchetti, the Zegna model and heir to an italian textile fortune worth hundreds of millions, riding his bike during rush hour. True story.

Ohyea - one more: Walking behind Rupert Murdoch on his way back from lunch with his bodyguard. Seemed nobody knew who he was until he approached the New Corp building, when the entire block froze, it seemed. He had on a dirt cheap suit, too. I later googled him and in the pic he was wearing the same tattered suit as the one I saw him in!

It's hard to pick just one.

But if i had to it would be when i first began working in NYC. Took my date to dinner on the upper east side (Sign of the Dove restaurant—long gone) and who should walk in but John Lindsey (our newly-elected mayor) and his wife. Took the table right next to ours ... and in the course of the evening the four of us became engaged in conversation. They were lively, witty, totally unpretentious—and so were we, otherwise it would not have happened. They even bought wine for our table!
My date was totally charmed. Totally. I remember it v-e-r-y fondly.

I love to come over the Geo. Washington Bridge in the evening and see the lights in the city if we drive in from Ohio. After the long drive, it is just such a jolt to see the city. I LOVE NYC!!!

One night, my husband and I were in the Times Square area at ~0100,with tons of people still out. In front of us is a girl with crazy purple metallic skinny jeans and huge black hair. Crossing the street is a man, just casually walking with a large PICKAX over his shoulder. He looked perfectly normal. he should have been whistling "Whistle while you work". It was one of the oddest moments I have ever experienced. surreal.

I love it when this thread resurfaces to gather new stories. Oh, how I want to come back!

Danielle, thank you for your wonderful, insightful story of personal growth in your first year as a New Yorker...it was very touching.

BGNYC....I would have missed the Porn star...the Zegna model and Rupert Murdoch. I guess you have to know who these people are in the first place!

Three months ago I met a friend for coffee in the UWS. He took me to the little cafe used in the movie You've Got Mail. It was where she got "stood up" when the guy realized who she was. I recognized it right off. Such a "New York" kind of place.

Afterwards, walking back to the 72nd St. subway stop, to take the train back to my apartment, I almost felt as if I lived there. I was doing "normal stuff"...meeting a good friend, going back to a real home.

The keys to that apartment are hanging a few feet away right now. They open the door to a whole 'nother world that I can't WAIT to get back to.

My first and only visit to New York was back in 1990 as a very green 19 year old Irish gril with my sister who was 18. We were taken into the city by our cousin who took us to see the "Pretty Woman" film and take the subway home to the Bronx where he lived. The train broke down in Harlem and while my cousin was nervous anything should happen to us, me and my sister were just amazed looking around at the musicians playing,the many different nationalities,the sounds the drama for those few minutes until the train began to move. It was so different to life in Ireland at the time and remains in my memory.

My sister and I spent 3 months in New york and loved it. Alaways wanted to come back older,wiser and with more money so am delighted to be going again in late November with my husband who has never been and hoping for many more moments.

My best NYC moment took place 2 weeks ago when I ate 3 Big Macs and took the biggest dump ever in the McDonald's bathroom. It was a very enjoyable experience.

Love this thread....

A very cool moment. Walking around Chelsea decided to take in the galleries.Walking into the Gagosian and being hit by a world class never seen before Picasso show. Amazing. Seeing Lou Reed on his bike in front of the gallery was memorable too.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/19/2009 04:23PM by askanewyorker.