I Do New York. part 1: The Arrival.
I’ve never been to New York. People say “You’ve never been to New York?!”, and I say “I’ve been to New York state, but I’ve never been to New York city,”. To which they respond: “You’ve never been to New York.”
Since I met Jerry he’s been trying to drag me out there with him, but I always had other obligations. And last week we were finally able to schedule a trip. Now I can officially say:
I’ve been to New York.
Last Thursday morning Alan, our friend Marianne, Jerry, and I piled into a car and started driving east. I have to say I couldn’t have chosen better travel buddies.
Quick rundown of the BFA clown car.
Alan Languirand: Graphic Designer, Photographer, Programmer, LOVELAND Partner spear-heading Project Lemon Battery, Cool Dude, Friend, and Roommate.
Marianne Audrey Burrows: Painter, Performance Artist, Curator of the Motor City Movie House, Friend, and all around Detroit Visionary.
Jerry Paffendorf: Mixed Media Artist, New Media Artist, Tri-Coastal Bearded Giraffendork, LOVELAND Creator, Collaborative Partner, Swell Guy, Friend, and Roommate.
Mary Lorene Carter: Mixed Media Installation Artist, Painter, Art Historian, LOVELAND Librarian, Detroit Ice Squirrel, and Motor City Bad Ass.
The drive was about 10 hours, but a rather enjoyable one. One of the things I really enjoy about driving is the opportunity to see the areas you’re moving through. And not to get overly sentimental, but srsly, we have a beautiful country.
And, mad props to Marianne, she dominated the state of Pennsylvania. And throughout the whole drive we only encountered traffic once.
And Disco Fries, once.
We got into the city around 10pm-ish… and dropped off our things. We started at 3rd Ward, a fantastic creative collaborative space that some of Jerry’s friends run. They have extended their facilities and taken over an apartment building, so it was super awesome of them to offer us their guest suite. So, Rock On, 3rd Ward! And public be warned, we’ve got plans to collaborate with these dudes in the future!
After stashing our bags, the four of us popped out for a few drinks with Jerry’s old boarding school friend Colin. And afterward, had a couple of beers on the roof of 3rd Ward.
Here’s the view.
Overall it was such a fantastic day and night. Everyone I came into the city with and met was full of great energy.
And the rest of the trip only got better.
