Bi-Coastal

I had my initial bite into that Big chaotic Apple I've so vividly fantasized about, and I am still reveling in what I tasted. It feels like cheating on my beloved California, that's how much I dig it. The comparisons between the two don't jive though. NYC is a crisp, fresh, bittersweet, larger- than-life apple, and California is a thick, laid back, grandiose, cantaloupe. Both are uniquely juicy. Duality was seamlessly sliced this past week.

I'm primarily melon (both in breast size and overall texture of life if you catch my breeze which is why I live where I do), so I was surprisingly surprised that from the first glimpse of dusky skyline (bringing tears to my eyes even through the tiny vantage of an airplane window), my East Coast inclination inklings were confirmed. I stepped onto the filthy sidewalk, hailed my first cab and strapped in for an amazing joyous experience. I'm still knackered and sated from it all.

New York feels like a constant, daily parade. People briskly bobbing along from place to place-decadent, determined, deranged or usually all three-secure in the knowledge that no matter how outlandish, common place or middle of the road they come across, others around them are themselves busy being them, and could care less, really. An informal celebration of ambitious, sophisticated diversity with no bullshit in between. No time for it.

Having said that, it's a constant flow of sensory delight, impossible to be ignored. The smell of street vendors/restaurants presenting their wares, humid air and people as they pin ball against one another, the occasional sewer/bodily fluid smell slapping vengefully, inspiring gratitude that you're obligated to walk so swiftly onward. The sounds of taxis and the other brave souls sharing their road, honking in an adamant unintelligible language. The sight of famous, glamorous landmarks stretching to life in historic graceful grime, the bright blue or maudlin gray sky setting tone to each days drama. The notion that it could all go horribly wrong but rarely does, is exhilarating.

What a clusterfuck of humanity insanity, tending to make perfect sense if you choose to notice.

In the same way California sprang to life before my eyes and sank deep into my soul many years ago, New York triggered forth elements of quality I didn't realize were lacking. My family (nine of us total) covered a lot of ground. What we saw was awesome, (AWESOME!) and I won't forget how I changed as I saw it. I could regurgitate it all, but go see for yourself, then we'll trade notes.

NYU grad, fantastic brother and reason for the season was at the helm. Being local he gave insider terminology, insight and definition to it all. His friends/acquaintances/comrades all share a similar genuine intrigue and intelligence, and he fits like a glove among them. Perhaps that's what made it so comfortable, so visceral.

Perhaps it is the fact that thriving there is thriving with a capital T and we felt a part of it. Every day you wake up, set forth to accomplish and actually do, it's sheer self-empowerment. On foot, on your own. Living fast, free and expensively. Living for yourself, although ironically, New Yorkers are the least selfish I've encountered if you are in need. They know what it's like to walk the paces. That is one of the true similarities both coasts share, actually. New York is just quicker to the punch by necessity.

I amassed a hundred anecdotes/inside jokes, a few hundred pictures and a few thousand subtle souvenirs, most of which are spiritual. The most profound is that I have a new mecca of connectedness. I can't say I plan to leave Cali or that New York has replaced it, rather, it slid in tightly astride as so much of the city itself.

Like the yin and yang, both coasts will reside inside. Can't have one without the other.