This time it is going to be short. Today is forever etched in the memories of New Yorkers as a day of loss. But as time moves forward and our wounds heal, we will eventually forgive. But for us Hip Hop fans, today marks a new era in music history. If you have not bought 50 Cent or Kanye's album, do so immediately. A few months back while attending a live taping of Def Poetry, I screamed out to Mos Def that: "Hip Hop is not dead!!" Today proves that. And no matter who wins the race to sell records, I did my part to reinforce the importance of a phenomenon that was born right here in New York City! Now do your part.......
Happy listening,
V
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Escape From New York
Where do people go when they move away from New York? I ask this because for a long time I felt like if you didn't live in New York, you didn't live. And as you already know, it is quite the opposite. I moved away from New York before and I felt homesick and malcontent. I longed for my concrete jungle. I know you probably think I am exaggerating. Yeah, OK maybe a little. But I could always visit New York, right? Wrong. I am addicted. The bright lights, the noise, the people. And although I had ventured outside of my metropolis, little did I know, it still had so much control over me. I came back and vowed to never move again. Recently my thoughts have been on attending law school outside of NY, but when my baby sister called me to say that she had joined the Army, I found my thoughts right back where I started. The same towers that fell here gave rise to a war that is still raging and to make matters worse, my little sister may one day have to go to the desert. Whether I like it or not, New York has a tight grip on me, and I may never be able to escape. No matter where I go, I will never forget this place. When Charles Dickens wrote "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times", he must of been in a relationship with New York. I just want to take this time to extend my condolences to all of those who have lost family and friends on September 11, 2001. There is no place like home.
Until next time,
V
Until next time,
V
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Awful Truth
Its been a while, but I'm back and this time it ain't pretty. In a city of never ending pretenders and posers, how can you tell who/what is real and who/what isn't? There is an overwhelming amount of BIG energy that comes from New York and it seems that some people/places claim to be just as BIG and important, when in reality they're not. I am aware this isn't a problem exclusive to New York City, but it seems that our city is full of trickery and deception, from it's apartment space to its working wages. Why do we create these fantasies? Whats wrong with who/what you really are? Why do we list an apartment as "spacious, great location, with a view", when in reality it is 600 sf., close to a noisy outdoor train station, with a view of a brick wall? I think its high time that we started to be completely honest with ourselves (and other people as well). Just because we live in a fabulous city does not mean that we are ALL fabulous. Why do (some) men lie about who they're dating, they're age, they're marital status, sexual preference, etc. Don't they know New York City women are armed with a team of nosy friends and money, and when you combine the two anything is possible? And really, in the age of Google searches, why would you even attempt to falsify who you are? Your Google dirt is bound to surface and the awful truth is bound to come out. New York, New York, big city of dreams....
Until next time,
V
Until next time,
V
Thursday, July 26, 2007
I Heart NY
Since this is my first posting, I will take this opportunity to introduce you to some of the things I love about New York City:
1. You can get anything, anytime, anywhere. Trust me I have lived in other states, and none of them comes close to having our accessibility. Chinese takeout at 2 a.m.? Check. A foot massage in your office? Check. A store that sells cheeseburgers and jewelry? Check. Having 24 hour transportation, 24 hour gyms, 24 hour delis, 24 daycares, this city truly never sleeps.
2. New York is home to the best dressed people on earth! Sorry California. You may have "laid-back" threads to a tee (no pun intended), but we are the mecca of haute couture. New York men pound the pavement in their awesome button-up shirts, with their dark slacks, and freshly polished shoes. They are the epitome of GQ. And the women, forget about it. Where do I start? The heels. We are all about the shoes. If nothing else is together, our shoes are always fabulous. If you go to Fifth Avenue right now, you would swear there was a fashion show going on. We don't walk down the street, we strut. Don't believe me? Take the 6 train on a Saturday afternoon. There's a fashion show going on there too.
3. There is always something to do for free. Gallery openings, movie screenings, open-bars, concerts, poetry readings, classes, forums, plays, and fairs. The list goes on and on. Free does not automatically mean it will be a tourist breeding ground. Take advantage......
4. We are a melting pot of different ethnicities. From our neighborhoods, to our food, it is all representation of somewhere other than New York. It's a beautiful thing. It adds to our city's eccentricity. Think about it, do you know anyone whose family is really from New York? I'm talking about great-grandparents and their parents. We all migrated from somewhere else.
5. New York is the best place to fall in (and out) of love with someone. We have our share of candle-lit lounges, bars and restaurants. The city serves as the perfect backdrop for romance. Since we all seem to share the same "date, rinse, repeat" mentality, when it's all over, there's enough bars for the both of you, so you don't have to run into each other.
bye for now, Victoria Hackbart
1. You can get anything, anytime, anywhere. Trust me I have lived in other states, and none of them comes close to having our accessibility. Chinese takeout at 2 a.m.? Check. A foot massage in your office? Check. A store that sells cheeseburgers and jewelry? Check. Having 24 hour transportation, 24 hour gyms, 24 hour delis, 24 daycares, this city truly never sleeps.
2. New York is home to the best dressed people on earth! Sorry California. You may have "laid-back" threads to a tee (no pun intended), but we are the mecca of haute couture. New York men pound the pavement in their awesome button-up shirts, with their dark slacks, and freshly polished shoes. They are the epitome of GQ. And the women, forget about it. Where do I start? The heels. We are all about the shoes. If nothing else is together, our shoes are always fabulous. If you go to Fifth Avenue right now, you would swear there was a fashion show going on. We don't walk down the street, we strut. Don't believe me? Take the 6 train on a Saturday afternoon. There's a fashion show going on there too.
3. There is always something to do for free. Gallery openings, movie screenings, open-bars, concerts, poetry readings, classes, forums, plays, and fairs. The list goes on and on. Free does not automatically mean it will be a tourist breeding ground. Take advantage......
4. We are a melting pot of different ethnicities. From our neighborhoods, to our food, it is all representation of somewhere other than New York. It's a beautiful thing. It adds to our city's eccentricity. Think about it, do you know anyone whose family is really from New York? I'm talking about great-grandparents and their parents. We all migrated from somewhere else.
5. New York is the best place to fall in (and out) of love with someone. We have our share of candle-lit lounges, bars and restaurants. The city serves as the perfect backdrop for romance. Since we all seem to share the same "date, rinse, repeat" mentality, when it's all over, there's enough bars for the both of you, so you don't have to run into each other.
bye for now, Victoria Hackbart
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