Current Mood

Waiting for the storm, feeling like this guy right now...kinda like an asshole.

My Life Is A Hurricane

Irene has begun her highly anticipated adventure, starting with a nice little vacation in the Bahamas. She took the place by storm. Literally.
As she now travels up the Carolina coasts, heading for the Jersey Shore (think: Snooki's voiceover "I'm going to Jersey Shore, bitch!") she will be visiting Seaside Heights with very few to party beside her. Next stop: The big, bad, juicy NYC. What to do once she arrives? Paint the town red? Or more like black and chaos? Will she go all-out or take gnashing bites at the city, but leaving most of the apple intact?

As east coasters anticipate the arrival of Hurricane Irene, the city is at once chaotic, yet calm. Grocery stores, fervent with last-minute shoppers, scrambling for batteries, toilet paper, ice cream and, don't forget, alcohol-- now closed with empty shelves of produce, bread and anything with a shelf life lasting into 2015 most likely settled into pantries across the 5 boroughs.
Home Depot's sales have tripled since Mayor Bloomberg has uttered the now infamous words "State of Emergency" and "mandatory evacuation."

Ralph Lauren and his daughter, Dylan (of Dylan's Candy Bar) have long evacuated the now not-so-glitzy city via chopper. The candy bars and lollipops, left to their own devices. Incubated babies and sick, elderly folk, evacuated from NYU's hospital, while the rest of the city waits with bated breath counting down the seconds, wondering about the size of Irene and the destruction she will leave in her wake.

Ironically, my life has never been calmer. Graduated from NYU on time, others not so lucky. Proud of my grades, but not proud of my student debt. Found love. I'm taking it with me. Seen and experienced the city to my content. Obviously, one can never experience all or enough of the city.

People continue to ask me: "What else would you like to do before moving to SF?" I ponder that thought for a moment, and really, I can't think of anything other than "Eat at Peter Luger's and party at the Hamptons"-- both realistic choices given I still have 31 days left to enjoy my time. Aside from partying, eating, or feeling like these past two and half years have been some sort of study-abroad/extended vacation, it's really time for me to grow up and live a more settled life. Who would've thunk? Me? The girl that ran away from the institution of marriage and a partner who wanted a family, a home, is now ready to embrace those very things and is open to giving it a go.

Timing is everything. Sometimes, we know the things we want, we see them from a distance and we expect that we will be prepared and can handle the outcome when that time has arrived. Much like a hurricane, when the things you always dreamed of having are hurtled at you in rapid motion, the instinct is to run and take shelter. Much like the preparation of Irene, I have given myself time to sit with the anxiety, to be patient and have a clear mind for her arrival. But when she comes, I will fully embrace her and allow myself to be taken on the crazy ride. As long as I don't die from it, I'll always be able to pick myself back up.
And, just like returning to California, back to my home, I imagine when faced with the similar prospect several years ago, I'll be ready this time with gallons of ice cream and alcohol to get me through the storm.

A new chapter awaits me in SF. Of course, I wonder if any recurring characters will be in it.