Saturday, July 11, 2009

Riis Beach Exscursion


I was walkin' down the beach. And then I saw a Rock. But it wasn't a rock. It was a rock lobster!

As I hurried onto the train, I realized I really should have left earlier! The train stalled. And stalled. And continued to stall until we all heard, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but one of our customers is having a medical emergency. Please be patient with the delay." Zombies! I hurriedly transferred from the 1 at 50th to the C, and then to the 2 at 42nd, where I was fifteen minutes late getting to the CENTER at 14th and 7th Ave. Luckily, they were prepared for tardiness, and I didn't miss a thing.

Walking to the subway, my newest friend George and I decided to be buddies. As before, my teal shorts become an issue as he was wearing teal shorts -- and a white V-neck, and converse, and we matched! Besides both being seasoned fashionistas, we're both naturally inclined to talk. What's fascinating about George is that it's like talking to someone who completely understands what I'm talking about; whether it's ghetto-cute talk, social justice, or our fears about "outbreaks" and Cloverfield, we seem to mesh very well. Kudos to the universe for introducing us!

An hour and a half later we stepped foot onto Jacob Riis beach. It wasn't too sunny, but I got sun burned. The water was vicious: knocking my body with tumultuous waves and freezing it with sharp coldness. George, Hal, and I courageously ran in (separately) and all sort of came running back out. Me more so. It was cold! The wind was ferocious! It whirled all around us in a current of sand and cool breeze. We laid our stuff down only to find it nearly submerged in the grainy business not twenty minutes later. Unenthusiastic with such beach treachery, a group of us built a fortified wall of board games, backpacks, food boxes, and each other to keep our stuff clean. It worked. I suggested building it with sand; Hal laughed.

When it was all said and done, we boarded the bus. I turned by back and a man face planted into the sidewalk from his bike. Blood? Yes. I thought it was interesting seeing him laying there. People were asking, "Why doesn't someone call 911?!" I said, "The police are standing right next to him." They didn't seem to be doing anything; only standing. Yay tax dollars!

George and I made our way back to his studio in the East Village where I was introduced to a nice young man named Marcus. From there we went out to eat burgers (I'm in love with bacon cheese burgers -- somebody stop me!), talk about cooking, and then settle in for a nice vegg-out session in front of the TV! I appreciate the new friends, and it seems like there's a real community to plug into if you look for it. George is moving back to France in September.

CONRAD'S MUST-DO'S:
** REMAIN CALM WHEN BEING TOLD WHAT TO DO BY SOMEONE CRAZY. TALK TO RON ABOUT IT.
** CHANNEL GIZELLE WHEN DOING RUNWAY ON THE BEACH.
** WATCH PEOPLE VOGUE.

** WEAR TEAL SHORT SHORTS.


CONRAD'S MUST-NOT'S:

** LABEL YOURSELF HIPSTER.

** FORGET A FORK WHEN YOU BRING CURRY.

** WALK IN THE RAIN LATE AT NIGHT.

** PASS UP THE OPPORTUNITY TO BOND WITH SOMEONE ON THE SUBWAY.

2 comments:

  1. Conrad, howdy. Just read every blog from July 12 - Viva!
    You have outdone the Honicker family, made your way to the City,
    and living it. I'm awed. You're fearless and smart and Alive.
    And you're living with Marie.
    I'm so happy for you, and proud of you.
    Some day, when you want to go to the country, take the number 1 to 207th stop and walk West to the park. It is the wildest park in all the five boroughs. Ask Joel to take you to the Spitting Devil to feel the wild animal in the bubbling waters. The Hudson River back up into the Harlem River - or is it East River? And the Indian Caves.
    And then there is the overlook of the Hudson, and the necklace of lights hanging from the GW Bridge, and the long stretch of green without lights of the Palisades.
    Love,
    Your uncle Russ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well thank you, Russ! I was planning on riding a bike all the way to the palisades, but now I might just have to do all that, too!

    ReplyDelete