When I first arrived I noticed a great many things about New York. The smells, which vary from mouth watering-ly delicious to mind numbingly, bile evokingly awful. And often somewhere in between with both of these types intermingling at will, which gets interesting.
I also noticed the massive number of people, the faster pace at which everyone moved (much closer to my own pace which I’m saddened to note has been slowed a bit by my years in the south), the sounds of the buses and trains that followed me in and out of buildings everywhere I went. However, more than any of these things, by the end of the first day I realized that in NYC, one simply does not have the luxury of running back to the house and grabbing a jacket. Or a change of shoes. Or deodorant. Or any freaking thing in the world that one might need when one is oscillating between the nearly frigid chill of the subway to the sometimes rain above ground to the stifling soggy wet heat of the underground stations during what can sometimes seem like an eternity of a wait.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining here, it’s just that I quickly realized that to exist comfortably in the city, when plans involve an entire day to night out it is a simple prerequisite to bring along the bathroom, the bedroom, the kitchen and the library. My adorable little fossil bag, which fared so well in Italy, and DC and Richmond simply is not up for the task.
So today I took a big 9 and a half wide step forward with my new life, and delved into the beauty that is a new handbag. To call this thing a handbag though, is a stretch. It’s more of a satchel, or perhaps a small suitcase. I could definitely fit a suit in it, perhaps as many as three, and I would still have room for a bag lunch and maybe small person. Okay, yes, the point is it is big, and it is awesome and it is mine. Clearly the charm to the feel of a new bag, and the joy of clutching soft supple leather is not left unappreciated by me.
And now, because I know you were just chafing at the bit to see (isn’t that kind of a gross figure of speech? I’ve always thought so).
Zee bag!
And because the only thing more exciting than a bag, is it contents… Here you are!
Now see if you can name all the exciting items I now carry around with me on a daily basis. And yes, you are more than welcome to call me crazy, or any number of other things I’m sure that I am. But one thing I am not my friend, is cold, wet, hungry, bad breath-y, lost or with copious shine. Okay, maybe 6 things, but that’s even more exciting!
A friend just called and apparently scored free tix to the MOMA this evening sooo, I suppose I’ll have to blog about the apartment we signed an application for today, tomorrow. Something to look forward to, no?
Off I go!
Oh Jill:
File this blog under “common sense for big city dwellers.”
Funny, that 3,000 miles away we’re still dealing with the exact same life. Honestly, I have to triple check my back pack (which is much better than a purse, and actually very accepted, even for job interviews) three times before bed every night to make sure I have packed all contents needed for one 8-hour day to and from work and the gym.
Contents include, but are not limited to:
-Make-up (I’ve bought double of all foundations and brushes. One for home and one for travel).
-Cell
-Lighter/ciggies
-Camera (just in case, i’m an AD…)
-Book (mass transit required reading…MTRR)
-Wallet with ID and Bus Pass
-1.50 in change, just in case said monthly bus pass gets lost.
-Gum/Mints
-Mona Vie gel pack (for energy boosting).
-Granola bars, apple or banana, trail mix or something of the like.
-Ipod/headphones
-Keys
-Business Cards
-Scarf
The excess of deodorant in my bag is not necessary, since I keep an extra at work in my gym bag (no need to carry it around, plus its never hot enough to have to reapply mid-day).
Trust in this: Forget the purse, invest in a messenger bag. Leave the purses for going out at night. You might want to invest in a commuter bag of some sort. Here’s a good site to find something:
http://www.flight001.com
Great stuff there, and perfect for the city dweller. I’ve got plenty more tips where that came from, and before you know it, you will realize that half the stuff you’re carrying isn’t always necessary. Just save up money, because you’ll want a variety of bags to switch to and from during your NYC life.
xox