Andy Chase

Breakfast
I made good on yesterday's threat and did a yellow pages search for diners near the hotel, the nearest of which was the Washington Square Diner. It's not a diner in the classic 1930's glass and chrome way, but it does have the requisite cozy booths and counter with stools. The food wasn't fantastic (I strongly suspect the pancakes came out of a carton), but the service was good enough to elevate the overall experience to one I'd recommend despite run-of-the-mill food. Very friendly and relaxed.

Settling In
I've been here long enough to settle into a short-term routine of sorts; I have a basic mental map of the neighborhood, I've noted landmarks and potential points of interest, and reached the "You know, I could get used to this" stage that occurs during any pleasant trip that lasts longer than a day or two. (Never mind the stratospheric cost of living, or population density that made us run screaming from Los Angeles to the hinterlands of central Massachusetts not even two years ago.)

Dinner Conversation
I was treated to dinner at an excellent Thai restaurant (the name escapes me, I will try to make a note of it if I pass it again) by my business hosts, and at one point dinner conversation turned to an exchange of city mouse/country mouse observations. Every time I listen to Manhattan residents discuss daily life and geography, I'm the tiniest bit envious. I've been fascinated by the City both times I've been here, and there's just too much to it to absorb without actually living here. Those encyclopedic, cartesian street coordinates that pinpoint the locations of shops, restaurants, galleries, and landmarks take time to accumulate, and they must be ever-changing. It's not really so different than knowing how to navigate your way across the dirt backroads of East Overshoe, Massachusetts, but the sheer density is so overwhelming and yet appealing at the same time. In my heart of hearts, though, I know I wouldn't be happy here on a permanent basis. I like New York City infinitely better than Los Angeles, but there's something in New England that's deep in my bones.

Ugly Decade
According to things I've read online, the building I'm staying in was built around the turn of the 20th century as some sort of gentlemens' hostel, and degenerated over the years into a seedy flophouse before being renovated and turned into trendy Village apartments in the 70's. My unit appears to have been done over since then, but the public spaces in the interior of the building certainly haven't - it's all brown tile, mirrored columns, brass flashing, and concrete in an ugly, rough vertical stripe pattern, all illuminated by big white globes. Does everyone find the popular styles of their early childhood creepy, or is it just my wife and I?

Drinking Alone
I spent the rest of the night sipping a bottle of Young's Dirty Dick's Ale, watching cable TV, and instant messaging with my wife. Being in a place as vibrant as New York City, one has the constant feeling that one should be Out Doing Something with every spare moment, just because There's So Much To Do... but going out just for the sake of Going Out is never something I've been good at, especially when I'm by myself. It's OK to chill out, whether you're at home or in a loft in Greenwich Village.

As for the Dirty Dick's, once again I found myself celebrating the wonderful balance of English ales... a little bit fruity without being too sweet, with nice mellow undertones. I don't think I've had a bad beer from Young's yet.