Thursday, July 23, 2009

Gayzelle

Saturday, July 18
If I flew with wings from my spine, do you think that she'd let me carry her? And if I grew big and strong, do you think that I wouldn't be so scared of her?

Back at Marie's and couldn't be happier. The familiarity of NYC and Harlem/Morningside Heights is growing on me. Though this city is famous for being ever changing and ridiculously unsolvable, my niche and treks across the familiar paths going to and from provide a sense of security. Perhaps not quite as mundane as the drive to school every day, or the same route taken in the hallways, but the routine at Marie's is especially nice because of spontaneity and chances for variety are clearly everywhere in abundance. Whether it's walking down Amsterdam instead of Morningside, or taking the 2 instead of the 1, -- or just exploring a street that seems interesting, the possibilities seem endless! This is what makes NYC so interesting, even when I'm sticking to my same old way every morning.

However, this morning I did something different: I went to meet my friend whom I knew before coming to NYC: Sam Cramer. The dynamic of being here with someone that knew me before being here was interesting. It gave me a chance to see what's new about myself, and gauge if I really have changed. Thankfully, my social moth (handsomer, more endearing, and just as awkward as butterflies) was released; we just walked around getting lost, eating panninis, and exploring a dirty part of town. It was fabulous. Her mom is great, too.

Afterward I speedily found a 2 train heading towards 14th street for a YES program. I was 15 minutes late, but it seems like I had just missed check-in. We played the Big Wind Blows, and gradually more people came in. A total of 35-ish young adults came to a Saturday afternoon gathering in the summer. Competition with Spectrum? Only a little. Maybe it's because I'm not really a part of the program, but I feel so much more at home... at Spectrum. In Knoxville.

George, Hal, James, and some three or four others -- and myself, walked to the Pier after making a quick stop at Magnolia's. Delicious. Plain delicious. Cheap. Amazing. A line going around the corner! We took our goodies to the Pier and laid out in the sun enjoying the decadence. Before too long, the group was playing Truth or Dare, Ten Fingers, and then finally, RUNWAY!

The game is simple. Five competitors giving their best walk. The game is modeled after America's Next Top Model (America's Next Top Bottom), which Hal dragged out for the duration of the real show -- he even cried. Desira, Blue Star, JonJon, James, and me, Gayzelle walked our walks. Double elimination! Desira, Blue Star, and Gayzelle move on. The others flat out leave. Two more walks: Beyonce inspired, and accesories. I funk on Beyonce, and run the accessories! Bye, Desira. Two more walks: Tell a Story and Final Runway. Gayzelle.... WINS! Because they dragged it on for SO long, they ended up giving me this cute shirt from H&M. I think someone posted a video on YouTube -- strangers have no inhibition.

George, Paolo (Blue Star), and I speed walked to Harry Potter, where I sat in line for our seats while my two friends make a candy drive. The movie was... I liked it, but at the same time it didn't give me the same feeling when as when I read the book. For instance, I balled at the end of the book, and merely teared up while watching. However, **SPOILER ALERT** I flat out screamed during the zombie part.


We ended the night by a few rounds of Hangman in some 70's inspired diner. It was swell!

CONRAD'S MUST-DO'S:
** DISCLOSE NYC LINGO: YAK, MUCH, DOWN, MAD, GOOP, GAG, BIRD.
** EAT APPLE ANYTHING, AND SHARE WITH HAL.
** BE RIDICULOUS IN YOUR POSE ON THE PIER.

CONRAD'S MUST-NOT'S:
** TRY TO GO TO CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN.
** WANDER AIMLESSLY IN A NEW TO YOU PART OF TOWN.
** ALLOW A TRANSWOMAN TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE A WOMAN, AND NEED TO CORRECT YOUR BODY.

2 comments:

  1. GOOP!!
    Seeing you was wonderful! When can we do it again? Albany is waiting for you. : ]

    ReplyDelete
  2. Albany! I miss it already!

    I would say let me come up this weekend, but I'm taking care of kitty.

    ReplyDelete