Pursuitist
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Die fetten Jahren sind
“The television event America has been waiting for.” The ABC promo teased me and prodded me and let me know exactly where I stood in regards to American culture. I hadn’t even heard of the show that was being featured, much less did I realize there was an episode all of America had set in their collective calendars to catch.
I Got Nothing Compared to These Guys
I am no where near as smart as I thought I was. Just three days ago, I thought I had a pretty good ticker up there. There was also a part of me ready to rest my hat on my, from my own perspective, personal laurels, which were beginning to foster a contentative feel about me. These past two days exposed me to a whole new level of accomplishments and experiences.
Settling In
It got cold. Berlin cold. Walking through the concrete canyons of Manhattan on my way to work, the wind whipped my cheeks into a burning redness I could do little to prevent. It reminded me of “the good ol’ days”. Half the work I do takes place in a new office … I’m actually the first person to sit at its desk. It is so new that the windows haven’t been corked and the door hasn’t been sealed. Thus, a draft filled the room, giving a constant reminder of just how nasty it was outside. We spent the morning at our computers decked out in scraves and hats. We made it though. And no frostbite to show for it.
The 9 to (1:30/)5
The first day on the job. I’m somewhere up on the 15th floor of the slender building to the right. The Trump Tower is on the left side of the picture. The Chrysler Building is squeezed into the background. I have no idea what the red brick building is (it’s only my 7th day in the City).
Happy New Year!
“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Happy New Year!” The steward shuffled down the aisles of the plane, his fingers prancing in the air, as the captain welcomed us into the year 2007. I tipped beverage cans with Tiffany, a friendly looking Nebraska girl on her way to visit her German boyfriend. I warned her of the German peculiarities I myself had slowly begun to pick-up; we then delved into the strangely normal travelling behavior of exposuring our personal fears and joys and sorrows. Another beer, another story, and I retired to one of the back seats of the plane to lay out and get some shut eye.
Making Plans and Thinking Big
The first advertisement I saw in New York’s JFK Airport screamed out at me: “Know what you’re getting into.” I had to laugh. I had just touched down in my new city without a place to stay and I wasn’t really sure where to start. I made some calls and landed at a Days Inn just outside the airport. Big beds and a great view: looking out the windom I’m offered a lovely view of an abandoned yellow school bus lot. Signs posted on the busses state “This bus has been checked for sleeping children”.
Five Years
I hadn’t done my homework for Professor Hess’ German History course, not that that was any groundbreaking change of events. I went to bed tired the night before with intentions on keeping to my regular schedule of irregularity by waking up early the next morning and completing it then.