newyork
i'm heading back to chicago tomorrow. most people either like new york or don't, i'm not sure how i feel. i've seen a lot of interesting things this time. when i look at the paintings in the museum of modern art, the works of picasso, when i layed my eyes on starry night i couldn't help but think, could a place that exhibits such things for anyone to see really be the horrible place some people make it out to be. and then while walking along broadway past juliard i look at the people, watching there faces and seeing nothing, not even a smile, not even to their companions, and why? i don't know. my girlfriend and i come along to the steps of a church where we once sat, and do so again. only this time we're both watching the people go by, instead of being involved in one another. everyone looks stressed, everyone has a place they "have" to be. and then my girlfriend asks "why is everyone looking at us" and i tell her "because we're not going anywhere". we were taking the time to rest, and set ourselves outside of the hustle and bustle of it all. much like when we went to central park, another place that makes me reconsider the nature of new york. a little forest among the concrete giants. one created and maintained by the people of new york, for the enjoyment of all. the place has a comforting effect on my heart, or maybe it was my girlfriends hand in mine, but either way i was able to forget that i was surrounded by one of the largest cities in the world. it felt quaint, and personal. i would go so far as to say it's the antithesis of one of new york's other landmarks, times square. somehow i felt alone and yet completely surrounded in this outdoor multiplex. even as i felt miniscule among the giant signs and billboards, i felt like i was the target of every advertisement known to man. i felt like somehow all of these bright colors and lights were invading me, and i left powerless to stop it. from a TBS movie of the week to the huge coca-cola screen, everything pointless, and it was usurping my senses and taking over my brain. so here i am. presenting reasons for and against, arguing with myself as i usually do. probably as pointless as all of the signs in times square. i guess i can understand why people love it or hate it, i guess it all depends on who you are. and i'm an overthinking and indifferent person, so i'm left without an answer.