Rewarded at Random

That is how they keep the rat running the maze over and over again. (well at least according to my friend’s therapist).

For a few brief moments this week I thought: how can I leave this job?

What other job is going to send out to all the boroughs on riddled adventures, making picnic in prospect park, learning an African dance from the ivory Coast,
spending the night in a Sich Temple (great despite the 400 am ritual ceremony), cooking/ serving breakfast in a the Sich kitchen
and dancing with the elders at Sunny side. (By the way it turns out that 90% of people who where Turbans in America are actually seek – and Indian religion that is only 500 years old – not Middle Eastern or as if often assumed) And how am I supposed to answer the very bluntly put 7th graders question “why can’t you just stay?”

After taking some steps away (and a brief consideration of a position with Outward Bound) I realize it was just a random reward of the job, but the day to day is far less rewarding – unless you count growing number of grey hairs as a reward.

So now I am not only hoping I end up in a city that fuels my adventurous spirit, but I also hope that my job becomes one of daily reward. I am always asking for too much, aren’t I?

My room rented (and another toe nail gone) its official…..

My time in New York is almost over. I realized this past weekend I am really going to miss summer in this place (not winter). After giving the official word to my current place of employment – we found (chrissy gets all the credit for finding it) the greatest dive bar: Port 41. Full of old time electrician buying rounds and telling stories (and a bar tender in her bra) free pool, darts ski ball (not plugged in) and popcorn. I followed that up with a free outside show by the water for the river to river festival that takes place all summer (menomena didn’t play a very good show – but I did learn that I was perhaps mispronouncing their name all this time) dinner outside, and a crazy (not so great) cd release party – I would call it indie electronic dance rock. Anyone want the free cd? The next day (after brunch at neighborhood kitchen table- Alma) we went swimming at the Floating Pool Lady (a new free pool in the neighborhood).
I know that might not seem like a big deal – but it was a swimming pool on a barge. While we waited for our swim session we hung out a beach (sand, volleyball, port a potties and all) just across the river from Manhattan; followed by some dancing (and drinking) at Fat Babies in the city. To top the weekend off on Sunday, Chrissy and I went kayaking on the upper west side for free – anyone can go its open to the public just sign your name and put on your life jacket (my kayaking was nothing like this but you must check out Harlan's blog to see his kayaking video!). Then we ate scones in central park while some people had a disco skate party. I was exhausted ( I was asleep by 1030- virtually unheard of for me) but it was a great weekend that just happened, didn’t come out of planning, and didn’t cost much money.



Then on Tuesday I rode my bike (thanks to friend from the bar who gave an amazing bike for free) to work, again doesn’t seem like a big deal except I live in Brooklyn across from the southern tip of Manhattan(belows the green subway line) and I work on the northern tip of Manhattan (168th street). It was somewhere between 12 and 15 miles each way - about an hour and twenty minutes (only 20 more minutes than the train). It was only a little scary after I went over the bridge and had to ride along the streets in the city to west side bike path (I really should get a helmet) but then it was a beautiful path right along the water through many different neighborhoods. And at least a third of the Manhattan’s population runs on a parallel jogging path at 7 am. I think I might for go the car no matter where I live and just try to get around on my bike – save me from having to beg for gas money on the street corners.

But the real question is can I create this kind of life for myself somewhere else?

The nature of my summers

in this city I go until I collapse (unfortunately so far this summer has been mostly work), but I never leave much time for reflection …..which is why my page hasn’t been updates since the hike, thought yesterday I just lost another toe nail due to the hike (yup both pinky toe nails, gone!)

Now my work is winding down and I am counting down the days (36 days until my contract is up) and several of my major projects are over. One of them being a week long academic boot camp in Swarthmore PA; it was a long and trying process preparing for the week. And then the week came and my college student advisors (the camp counselors) were giving me grey hairs (yes I have some, as my mom’s hair dress so kindly pointed out to me). But its done: I successfully organized, developed, implemented, ran with very little sleep or support, a week long camp (that started with my driving a 15 passanger van in the city)


complete with team building activities,cooking lessons, academic classes, field trip to philly, games of capture the flag,a dance off, (as well as some lessons in pop, drop and lock it)
and final projects. And now I feel completely burnt out (with lots of bruises to show for it) and know that if I were ever to take on the classroom as a certified teacher that I could come up with some great lessons on the spot, but I would be one strict (borderline mean) teacher!

Now I am going to take advantage of the summer here, I have list of things to do before I move. Though I have been checking things off (great adventure in jersey, riding bike to coney island, concerts – Bob Weir – in central park, Monday night movie in the park, beach) my list keeps growing.

So those of you who said you were going to come to New York before I move better come on….we got a lot of things to do and not so much time!