Third anniversary of blogging
On May 10th, 2004, I started blogging.
I had been in New York for about six months (albeit with a horrendous travel schedule to California) and I quite disliked being in Manhattan. After the wonderfully warm weather and incredible open skies of the Bay Area, I found Manhattan claustrophobic, dirty and over-crowded. And, to be fair, I was never here long enough to establish any kind of routine to help me feel settled.
I thought a lot about my own attitude and decided to try to focus on the positives. So, I committed to blogging about the best of the city each week. Three years ago today, “My Space In A Place” with the tagline “They say loving a place is all about attitude. Let’s see, shall we?” was born.
I didn’t focus too much on the title (obviously!) or the aesthetics or the logistics (no Feedburner, no Technorati) of the blog - I had a very clear purpose - to start sampling the variety that the city offers and to document it online to make myself see the pluses of the city.
My first post included the following:
On that topic, I realized I need to give big, bad, Manhattan a chance — yes, the winter sucked, but we are past that and I hope a glorious summer will let me explore more and enjoy this city. I’ve heard that it takes about a year to fall in love with Manhattan. Which means that I have till October or to be fair, till May of 2005 (arriving in winter can’t count, can it??!!!).
So, a post a week till October and we’ll re-evaluate, shall we? 
The blog lived on Blogger and I did not list it publicly. I shared the URL1 with family and a close friend who was also adjusting to Manhattan.
With each post I wrote, I started to fall in love with Manhattan - opera, ballet - no, not just ballet, but Swan Lake with Nina Ananiashvili!!, Carnatic music, concerts in Central Park… It was a fabulous summer. Soon, I was missing NYC when I was in California on business. My experiment was working!!
I hit my goal of starting to love NYC by October of 2004. And I was having so much fun with my blog and I kept it up. Finally, in late 2006, after I had quit my commute to California and taken a little breather, I felt ready to blog publicly. That’s when this blog and my Tatvam blog appeared2.
I’ve loved my three years of blogging - I’ve fallen in love with my city, made wonderful new friends and had great conversations!
To my incredible readers, thanks for making this little blog, which started out with only imaginary readers, so much fun!
- Since that blog had so much personal information, it is now only open to invited users. [↩]
- A couple of times I’ve wondered whether I should have blogged publicly earlier. The answer is no - my earlier blog was a personal journey and one I was not ready to share with the whole world. [↩]
Saving New York City
In the four years I’ve lived in New York City, some things have gotten better and some things have gotten worse - much, much worse. One of the key things has dramatically deteriorated is the traffic situation.
There is gridlock in so many parts of the city and not just at rush hour, but almost all the time. It is unbearable. Don’t ever try gong up Sixth Avenue - except late in the evenings, and a few short patches in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon, it is like being in a parking lot. While I often take the subway, sometimes I can’t and I sit in traffic wondering how much worse things will be in another year’s time.
Well, if you leave it to Mayor Bloomberg, things will get better not worse. He has proposed a plan that addresses a lot of the environmental and infrastructural issues that NYC faces, including the traffic issue. Having spent a fair amount of time in Singapore, I know that they have a surcharge for going through the CBD (Central Business District) during rush hour. Perfect - all non-essential, non-urgent traffic will use another route.
Bloomberg’s idea is a little different. He wants to impose a $8 fee on anyone who enters Manhattan below 86th street. Great start, but I would also like to see a fine on those folks who violate basic traffic laws! One of the biggest issues that makes the traffic worse in New York (and therefore one of my pet peeves) is the sheer stupidity, arrogance and thoughtlessness of the drivers. NYC is filled with intersections. Tons of them. And every single one of them can become a traffic nightmare with just one inconsiderate driver. Here’s the situation - let’s assume uptown traffic (on an avenue) has a red and crosstown traffic has a green. The cars start moving - all is well so far. The light starts to turn to red for the crosstown guys, but a stupid jackass decides that he can still get across. Of course he can’t. There is no where for him to go. So what does he do? He blocks the avenue, preventing uptown traffic from moving. What the heck?? Since most streets and avenues have timed lights, the avenue gets backed up and then those drivers block the intersection and the vicious cycle continues… I say, ticket them all! Just a day a week, get cops to hand out big fat tickets. It will solve the problem within a month. Where are all the traffic cops??! I have yet to see one ticket handed out for this gross misbehavior.
The traffic rant aside, I like a lot of Bloomberg’s other ideas too, especially the bit about adding trees and parks -
The mayor is proposing 127 new initiatives dealing with land, air, water, energy and transport. His proposals include introducing molluscs into the city’s waterways as natural bio-filters, adding bicycle lanes and hastening the cleaning and rezoning of 7,600 acres (3,100 hectares) of contaminated land. He hopes to add 1m trees. New parks should mean that every New Yorker lives no more than 10 minutes away from one. School playgrounds will be open to the public.
Some of his provisions are even more ambitious. He plans to cut the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in part by improving the efficiency of power plants. To pay for this, a $2.50 monthly surcharge will go on electricity bills. He argues that by spending $30 a year until 2015, every household will save $240 a year after that. This bid for energy conservation would be the broadest attack on climate change ever undertaken by an American city.
I hope the residents step up and support him. We need to think ahead and make the hard decisons to save our city. It is the only way to continue to keep it the coolest city in the world!
Photo courtesy of The Economist, which retains all rights.
Random stuff
Sorry, it has been busy. Here are couple of little things though -
- Today I was briefly introduced to someone in an academic environment. She asked me “Did you just graduate from undergrad?” I was stunned for a moment and then blurted out that I had graduated from undergrad well over a decade ago! Once I was back home and vegging, despite the fact that I believe she either needs her eyes checked or had recently consumed some good stuff, it did make me smile.
- There has been a partial power outage ever since I got back home. When I was growing up in India, power outages were very common. In fact, a house was set up in “Phases”. Each phase of electricity controlled a part of the house. So, there was a phase for the kitchen, one for the bedrooms etc. Sometimes there were total blackouts, across all phases, but often you would just lose one phase and you would immediately know which one it was and therefore which part of the house to avoid until power was restored. In the US, that concept doesn’t seem to exist as cleanly. Right now, the lights in the entry, and one part of the living room don’t work. The lights in the bedroom are out, but the bedside lamps seem to work (??!!) and very unfortunately, the light near the fuse box is out too (it is not a fuse - I checked). Anyway, the most annoying fallout is the smoke detector. The device is programmed to beep when the battery/power is dead so that you fix it. So, all evening, I’ve endured soul-piercing beeps every few seconds. The damn thing is so loud that people on the other end of the phone have asked me what the heck it is. And… it is right outside the bedroom… Argh!
My name is…
Vidur Kapur took to comedy after an undergraduate degree at the London School of Economics and a PhD from the pinnacle of Economics, the University of Chicago. And thank god he did. The world needs a comic of his caliber more than it needs another economist - he is fabulously hilarious!
**Warning** The following clip has adult content. Please only view this if you are an adult. ***End Warning***
Ok, with that warning out of the way, forget the first 25 seconds, but the rest is ROFLMAO material.
Maybe I find it funny because I’ve had my name mangled so many times, albeit mostly well-meaningly. I wonder what would happen if the next time I answered with - “Look, my name is Shripriya. It is a classical, ancient, Indian name…” Even if I never use his line, the thought of doing so will certainly cross my mind!
I discovered Vidur here
Enterprising postman
I was out and about one day when I got a call on my cell phone. Unrecognized number, but I pick up. “Hello? Ms. Mahesh? This is Wilson… your mailman…”
Apparently my passport had arrived in the mail, but he couldn’t leave it for me (I have to sign for it), and he was wondering if I needed it urgently. Yes, I did, so I headed home and took it from him.
That’s what I call great customer service. I have no idea how he got my cell phone, but he’s used it ever since, any time there is anything important. He’ll call me and say that there’s a large package - should he put it in the elevator instead of leaving it under the mailboxes?
Wilson is now in my phone’s address book. With such enterprising mailmen, the USPS is in safe hands!
Bodies exhibit
Sometime last year, I went with friends to see the Bodies Exhibit in South Side Street Seaport. Amazing.
Using a special technique, they get rid of all tissue and fill every cell with a polymer that replaces the muscles and the bone and everything. What’s amazing is that every part of the human body right there for you to see.
The exhibition is huge - you can see the details of all major muscles groups, every major organ (in healthy and decayed state - the smoker lung was frightening), and how all the organs are aligned. For example, imagine a large opening in a human being that allowed you to see their lungs, kidneys, liver, stomach and intestines - that’s exactly what you see, without any blood or gore. They show bodies in motion - throwing a ball or doing an activity and show you which muscles, tendons and ligaments are in play. So cool.
There’s also a room where you can see a fetus develop from a week old. Given the sensitivity of the subject (these are, after all, real fetuses that have been through their preservation process), they make it really easy to skip the room, should you wish. They even show you blood vessels - there was a human-size example of just blood vessels to show you how they are distributed across the body.
All of it is real - no “models” anywhere. If I had seen this when I was in school, it would have taken Biology to a whole new level. If you aren’t super-squeamish, definitely go see this (details of tickets and dates on their website).
Photo source: Seattle Times
Freezing tundra, a.k.a. New York City
If I had been here in early Jan and slowly been introduced to the bone-chilling cold, a few degrees at a time, it might have been bearable.
But spending day x in glorious 85 degree weather in Madras and day x+1 in 25 degree weather in New York? That’s not so great. I spent the past day wearing three layers of clothing, wool socks and freezing - all inside the house. Outside was a lot worse. I thought I was going to become an icicle.
Let’s hope the body adjusts fast - this weekend is going to be 9 degrees!! Makes me want to run back to India. But… I can keep whining or enjoy being home. Let me try the latter for a few hours and get back to you.
P.S.: Apparently this is post #50.
London cabs win hands down
I was in London last week and often ended up taking a black cab. The cabs are expensive - more expensive than the Tube (London’s subway, which in itself is �3!), and about 30-40% more expensive than a NYC cab, but that’s about the only downside.
Compared to New York City taxi cabs, these black cabs are better in every single way.
- The cab drivers actually know where they are going. You tell them once what the address is and that’s it. In New York, if your address is not on the grid (x street, between y and z avenue), there is a huge possibility your driver won’t know where it is. Isn’t knowing the city part of the job??
- You never need to repeat yourself. Ever. They didn’t once say “Er, did you say 37th street and Broadway?”. I told them once what the address was and the next time I spoke to them was when I got off. Amazing. NYC cab drivers apparently can’t remember an address for longer than 3 minutes.
- They never talk on the phone and if they do, it is very quiet and very quick. Off all the cab drives only one driver got on his cell phone. And I could barely hear him over the engine noise and he was off the phone in about 20 seconds. They take their jobs seriously - like jobs. Not like vacations where they are doing you a favor by driving you while they talk. In NYC, almost 90% of my cab rides involve the driver being on his cell phone. And loudly. I’ve been privy to everything from lunch menus to home repairs. Ridiculous. And rude.
- They are polite. They say please and thank you and have a good evening. Considering London cabs are so expensive, apparently it is the norm to just round up. So, after the first couple of days of tipping 20%, I adjusted to London norms and for a cab ride that was �7.60, I gave the guy �8 and felt cheap doing so. He was still gracious and polite.
- The taxis are clean. They are comfortable and spotless. No grime, no left over tissues, nothing. In NYC, you feel like taking a shower after riding in some cabs. Some of them stink. Of course this could be a reflection on the taxi riding public in both cities too!
- The taxi configuration is so much better. London cabs are spacious on the inside. And they seat 6! In New York, if your driver is tall and has pushed his seat back, forget it, you are going to be scrunched in with no leg room. And the maximum NYC passenger limit is 4.
- Finally, London cabs have evolved from boring black and come in multiple colors including hot pink. NYC cabs are only yellow.
Apparently, the London cab drivers need to attend a two year plus training course called The Knowledge to learn the streets of London perfectly and in order to be allowed to become a cab driver. With another fare increase coming to NYC cabs, maybe passengers need to get something for the extra money. The list above seems like a good starting point!
An auction to remember
More in my “loving New York” series.
On Wednesday evening, I went to the Christies Impressionist and Modern Sale. I visited in the morning to see the works. A sale like this, with works of such astounding quality is very rare. It was like visiting a museum that was doing a “best of” showcase.
The highlights of the sale were four works by Klimt. I have to say I loved them all.
They are phenomenal works of art. The Adele is masterful, but Birch Forest and Apple Tree just spoke to me.
They just make me want to smile. The paintings were behind glass, but I happened to be there at a moment when they opened them up for the press and it was astounding to see them directly. Gorgeous.
The other work that set record prices was a Gauguin. I have a special affinity for Paul Gauguin. When I was 14, I was dragged through the Smithsonian for 4 hours to see the most comprehensive retrospective of Gauguin’s work. Every major piece was there. While I felt it was somewhat torturous back then, I am really glad my mother forced us through the experience.
The other paintings that really drew me was a Toulouse-Lautrec that was an early work - a charming image of people lounging in the golden country side with a black dog by their side (very unlike some of his later works) and a wonderful wonderful Leger (unfortunately I can’t find an image for the awe inspirting work). Actually, there were so many amazing paintings… I was very lucky to see them.
The evening sale was a zoo. There were hordes of people and two overflow rooms. The sale set a record of $491 million (including buyer’s premium) and the star of the show, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer II, sold for a whopping $87.9 million. Amazing. What a great experience.
Read more about the sale here. See all the prices here.
Opera season begins!
I LOVE living in New York. In terms of culture, it is truly mind-blowing. One of my favorite things is going to the opera.
The Metropolitan Opera is such a special experience. It is an elegantly regal building, both on the outside and inside, everyone is all dressed up, you drink some champagne at the break, and watch some of the finest performers around.
The first opera of this season for us was Rigoletto. We saw Rigoletto a couple of year ago and the sets were the same, but the performance last week was fabulous.
Rigoletto is best known for the song “La donna è mobile”, which most of the audience hummed along to. Also, the opening number, “Questa o quella” may be familiar to many – what a wonderful opening song to get everyone into a good mood.
Rigoletto is a long opera at 3 hours and it is broken into three acts. The first act sets the scene – we are introduced to the Duke of Mantua who is a womanizer extraordinaire and his jester Rigoletto, a hunchback who antagonizes the courtiers by being mean and offensive to them. Monterone, an elderly nobleman enters the building and accuses the Duke of seducing his daughter. When Rigoletto mocks him, he pronounces a father’s curse on Rigoletto.
Rigoletto goes home and worries about the curse. We see that he has a beautiful daughter, Gilda. He hides her from the world, worried for her safety. Unfortunately the Duke has already found her, but she thinks he is a poor student, Gualtier Maldè. In the meanwhile, the courtiers discover the daughter also, but think she is Rigoletto’s mistress.
Everyone clear? So Rigoletto leaves his house. The Duke shows up and flirts with Gilda. He then leaves. Rigoletto comes back, but it is too dark to see and he’s not sure where he is. He bumps into the courtiers who convince him they are trying to steal someone else’s mistress. They blindfold Rigoletto and have him hold the ladder and they abduct Gilda.
In Act 2, we discover that the courtiers have delivered Gilda to the Duke. He, of course, makes full use of the opportunity. By the time Rigoletto gets there, it is too late. Gilda soon rushes into his arms, weeping. Rigoletto swears vengeance, but Gilda begs him to forgive the Duke since she still loves him.
In Act 3, Rigoletto hires an assassin, Sparafucile, to kill the Duke. He also shows Gilda evidence that the Duke is flirting with the assassin’s sister, Maddalena. Gilda is sent to Verona, dressed as a boy (for protection). Maddalena begs Sparafucile to spare lover-boy, but they need a body to deliver to Rigoletto. Gilda returns and overhears their decision to kill the next person to enter the inn. Still in love with the Duke, despite his various dalliances, she sacrifices herself and knocks on the door. Sparafucile kills Gilda. When Rigoletto arrives, he is given a body in a bag. He opens it and is heartbroken to find it is Gilda — alas, Monterone’s curse has come true.
So, overall a depressing story. But that’s opera. The performances were awesome. Nancy Fabiola Herrera as Maddalena, Ekaterina Siurina as Gilda and Joseph Calleja as the Duke were excellent. My favorite was Juan Pons as Rigoletto.
What a wonderful evening! One thing that makes the Opera more accessible is the in-seat translations – at the back of every seat is a slim panel that translates the lyrics into English. So, you activate the device on the back of the seat in front of you and you can laugh along with the jokes. Ah, technology and the arts combining so well – I love it.
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