Moments Like This in Manhattan

Theres a place in Manhattan I try to avoid, a place that makes me want to run out of it as fast as I walk into it.  Its a dreadful little place filled with bright shiny lights and the human excess.  Every corporate food chain as far as the eye can see, and more people stopping and staring in awe as if it was their first time seeing bright lights.  This place is the pit of advertising and marketing and if for only a day we turned off all the lights we would solve global warming.  Seizure prone beware and the ADHD are welcome.

This day was different however.  I sat espresso in hand on the random red staircase in the mist of Times Square.  It was particularly pretty on this day, I sat.  Still and watched as so many ran, walked and passed. It wasn't as crowded as I always recall and I kid you not as I sat on the staircase the clouds parted ways and slivers of sunlight crept through the skyscrapers hitting my face.  All around me there were others doing the same as I and I didn't hate it I actually thought it was impressive.  Why had I judged Times Square so harshly?  For an entertainer it would do me no greater pleasure then to one day be plastered on the side of a giant building.

Now lets get one thing straight I would never live by Times Square, the energy isn't me but I think it's a step if I can at least sit within it.  Theres something so strange about being so small in the mist of something so large.  It made me feel like this tiny insignificant speck in the presence of over sized people plastered on the biggest screens you have ever seen.  Its cool, not as cool as where I currently live but different.

Manhattan is such a playground, within blocks so much changes.  The neighborhoods expand, shift and change.  Its incredible living here by myself, sometimes it gives me an ass whooping but overall when I sit back and look at where this year has taken me I can honestly say I wouldn't take one thing back.  I look at where I landed and I see strength, curiosity and such intense growth.  I also overcame one thing and that was that I never wanted him to have New York.  That was my biggest fear that of all the things he took from me he may still have NYC if I didn't come back.  The truth remains though that I would never let him mark this city.  This is my Manhattan, this is my city..my way.

With all my heart I heart NYC.

Its not for everyone but for me its just right...