Tuesday, May 06, 2008

New library card, new neighborhood

How do I know I'm no longer living upstate? Because instead of the allotted 60 minutes on the public library computer, I now only have 45 minutes. And the faces surrounding me are exotic and beautiful, some young some old, some haggard from years of surviving the streets of Manhattan, some fresh from their lack of existence. Though there is a separate section for computer use for youth, what are these young people doing using the adult computers?? Maybe they're not that young at all, it's just my memory of youth. The last time I really hung out in NYC libraries was when I was in Junior High School, and I had this obsession with collecting obscure photos of Brooke Shields. I'd sneak a bound stack of magazines like American Home from 1978 that I knew she was on the cover of, and stealthily tear it out when no one was in earshot. My sizable collection ended up in some storage closet in the dorm of a Tel Aviv university. Could still be there, along with the Brooke Doll, and Brooke Books, which actually sold on ebay recently for a grand. OK, a REALLY small person just took the computer next to me. He couldn't be more than 9. Which reminds me also that it's really smart to have a separate section for kids, as libraries tend to attract really weird and possibly dangerous adults. This one looks pretty safe, (I'm referring to the library, not the kid; Though he looked pretty safe, too.) but you can never fully let your guard down. Sunday I was enjoying a beautiful sunny day walking around the upper west side, checking out the street fair with the roasted corn, and this creepy middle-aged man said as he was passing me by, 'Hi miss, can I pet your doggy?' Needless to say, I don't have a dog. So here I am, living in the big apple, and I'm so content to be here. This is my world.

And I'd like to say a prayer for the people of Myanmar. I can't think about the magnitude of that disaster without tears coming to my eyes. 22,000 people were killed as a result of this terrible cyclone, and thousands more displaced, without homes, clean water or food. What can you wish for the survivors that will help them through the loss of loved ones and the threat of loss of their own lives? I wish them hope and future prosperity, and to know that many people around the world are wishing them the same. May the people of Myanmar be blessed with future healing and strength.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tamar: Glad to see you moved to Manhattan and seem to be settled in.

Barb and I were there on a bus trip the last Saturday in April and saw Mary Poppins on Broadway. Overall we had an enjoyable day and didn't have any strange requests like you did.

The library is a great place to spend time and we borrow many books from the library.

Where in Manhattan are you living?

I saw the headline in the paper about Mynamar. Very tragic.

Kevin

Ms. Senyak said...

hi kevin~ that's cool you guys get to the city, I know it's a big trek. I'm right in between central park and rivrside park, so I it's perfect for me as a runner.
I'm happy you didn't get any odd requests whilst in the city :-)

Unfortunately, the numbers for the death toll in Myanmar have multiplied since I first wrote this post.

Anonymous said...

Tamar: Glad you are settled in the city and are near to central park and will have the opportunity to run.

When we were in the city we picked up the bus at Bryant Park on the way home. We were close to central park but didn't quite make it this time. We ran out of time.

It amazes how many people are out and about in the city on any given Saturday.

Hope you are enjoying your new location.

Kevin

Anonymous said...

Hi Tamar! Your apartment is gorgeous, and I'm so so so happy for you!!!

You might have fifteen minutes less time on the computer, but! You didn't get wireless (or at least figure out how to come by it) until you arrived here!!!

I'm liking this cd more and more, three more to collect!