I didn't post yesterday because none of you would have wanted to hear my rant. For the first time that I can remember, I was homesick, truly awfully homesick. I'm the type of person who instead of missing home instead would rather take advantage of the opportunities that I've got while I'm away. Whether it's at college or camp or in the city, it's better to be occupied and interested than to stop and think about how nice home sounds. But yesterday was different, it was a feeling I've rarely gotten in my life and I'd prefer not to get it again. Don't take me wrong obviously I miss my friends and family but I just don't get homesick very often because I like to stay engaged in the world that surrounds me at that moment. But yesterday was different, which is why there was no post. Sorry fellas.
Anywho. Last night was lovely. After realizing that through no fault of my own (a first!) my phone would not work again until this morning, I jumped at the chance to have a night truly to do whatever it was I wanted to do. No texts or calls till the A.M. so I couldn't feel guilty about ditching on anyone or missing out on anything. So instead of taking the nap that I knew I should have I went to dinner with T, SB, and the Irish girls then went and watched T play chess in Washington Square Park. He's up here this summer writing a novel about the chess players that hustle people in the park and the craziest thing is he has truly been accepted into their little circle. These are all men who have been in and out of prison, some live on the streets but most in shelters, but they are all incredibly intelligent and witty. And for someone with a prison rap who can't get a job, chess is a better alternative than riding up and down subway trains begging. They all play wickedly fast and are extremely well-versed in the rules and ways of the chessboard, and I (with my rookie skills and knowledge of the game) can't help but be fascinated with the way their minds work, seeing strategies and plays four or five moves ahead of what's going on at the board, some of them can know ten moves in if they've won or lost and will surrender the king where I would have been still trying to capture the black bishop (they're valuable right?). Each of them have a unique history and have their singular stories to tell and T is brilliant for using these guys as the basis for his novel. Without a doubt it will be an interesting read.
After watching the chess game, and trying to understand the strategies that darted the pieces across the black and white board, we were both surprised by the Washington Square Music Festival descending upon us. It was a beautiful cool night, one of those midsummer evenings where the sky is purple and deep and you know it would feel like velvet if you could touch it. The band played all different kinds of music but ended with a song that (whether this is good or bad) I recognized from Moulin Rouge, though I'm sure it has some classical Latin name that would make me sound much smarter if I knew it. Alas I do not, but never the less it was a wonderful band and ended the night in an excellent fashion. Then T and I lounged around the fountain for a bit before I knew I had to get back and get some sleep.
And so far this morning has been a mix of copying, compiling, and (as A puts it) facebooking like a champion. Lunch today was with Jenny Eliscu and Rob Sheffield- two wonderfully hilarious contributing editors for RS, and who (of all the people I've met and heard speak since I've been here) have the jobs I dream of. They are both writers and Jenny especially, who is a features writer, was incredible to hear from- though Rob was cracking me up all through lunch- made me want to get out there and start writing.
My goal for this year- write more, write often, and write now. I can't let my insecurities about whether people like my writing or that it isn't any good or that I may be the world's worst interviewer (hopefully not) keep me back from at least attempting to write something worth reading this year. So I'm expecting all of you wonderful people out there to hold me to this, okay? Okay, good, glad we're on the same page!
Boston tomorrow!! May be a bit before I post again, so sorry!
Much Love
-Mandy
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