MSM

Peace Out, New York

Everyone has an alternate fantasy life, in which she packs up and flees her surroundings to live the secret, unfulfilled destiny of her dreams. Whether fantasizing about skyscrapers while at the beach in San Diego as a girl, or from my reporter’s cubicle at the Chicago Tribune after college ended, or while driving the spiraling urban sprawl of Los Angeles, in my head I am always living in New York: dressed in black, chewing on pens while thinking up brilliant breaking news analysis, writing, wandering Central Park, reading important books, meeting interesting people.

Most people don’t get the chance to swap their actual lives and test drive the fantasy version. However, my dear friend Jacqueline and I did these past two months (with a little help from Craig Newmark, whose simple community site has never let me down over the years!). I’m writing something longer and more meaningful about our life-swapping experience, so I don’t want to steal its thunder just yet. Plus, it’s not quite over. We’re spending next week together in Los Angeles, and the going-back-home-to-real-life component is an essential part of the story, too. I’m also not sure that I’ve really processed the whole experience yet in a way that I can adequately reflect on it. I suppose the incremental quality is what defines the difference between blogging and writing in print. [continues ...]

Today I’m writing from my second home (Chicago!) while I visit some relatives as I travel back to LA, and brooding a bit about the adventure. I had an excellent time, found some of the big-picture answers I was looking for, and I’ve decided to move to New York permanently. Now it’s a strange feeling to be transitioning back to reality and working out the logistics of how that’s going to happen, especially popping into Chicago, which is a place that is dear to my heart and changed me so much in my early 20s. I got the feeling yesterday while visiting some friends on Michigan Avenue that the city is smaller after having been in New York, but perhaps it’s just me. I’ve found that revisiting a place after you’ve matured in a new direction always changes the prism through which you view it. I like that about cities: They provide the backdrop of your life, but you can impose upon them whatever attributes you need to as you personally change. It’s kind of like a friend that has to like you, no matter what an idiot you’ve been.

I wanted to say a few thank yous to people who made New York exceptionally wonderful, particularly: My Katies (Halper & Tur), Alice, Jon, Colin, Mike, Reed, Christie & Coco et al, Aly & the AMP3 posse, Baratunde, Justin and the Living Liberally crowd, the adorable staff at Pick-a-bagel (I will SERIOUSLY miss you), and the guy who owns the hot dog stand on Park & 3rd Aves who whistled at me every night when I walked home. No matter which of my various boyfriends disappointed me, I could always count on you for an ego boost! Of course, Jacqueline, it was lovely to have your guidance and daily phone updates as we navigated the trip’s twists and turns. It’s too bad we can’t convince each other to stay put and be best friends.

Thanks also to Romi, Mom & Ted, and Shannon for going along with this crackpot idea. I love you all, and I can’t wait to be back home with you for awhile.

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