Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
The Whys and Wherefores of Our Move to NYC
Here's the Cliff's Notes version:
In March of 2008 C' company, Destineer Studios/Atomic Games moved us out to Raleigh, NC, because development of the game Six Days in Fallujah was moved out there. After the game was announced, the subject matter caused much controversy, and the game's publisher (Konami) pulled out. After 4 months, Atomic pretty much let everyone go and shut down production. Fortunately the same day that C found out he was out of a job, he also found out that he had an offer from THQ / KAOS Studios in Manhattan! We had taken a family trip to NYC for C's interview, and we liked it, so we were jazzed that he got the job (and that he had a job at all!).
We've been in NYC for two weeks now, and have had all of our stereotypes of New Yorkers blown away. People have been, for the most part, friendly, helpful, and welcoming. We signed the lease on an apartment a few days ago, and are pleased to be calling the Upper West Side (think "You've Got Mail") home. Our new place is just steps from wonderful Riverside Park. We'd love to hear from you and tell you all about it :-)
L is doing great; she's nearly 2.5, talking up a storm, and charming everyone we meet--she's very popular on the subway and often requests to ride the train or "see New York."
We found a new and loving home for our two dogs, Bailey and Elisa. We were very sad to say good-bye, but their new home and family is fantastic-they'll hardly miss us. In fact, when we went to say good-bye they seemed scared to leave their new home and come with us.
I'm at home with L, and looking forward to taking advantage of all of the literary opportunities that the City has to offer. In fact I've already been to a Young Adult book reading of seven authors--you know, market research!
In March of 2008 C' company, Destineer Studios/Atomic Games moved us out to Raleigh, NC, because development of the game Six Days in Fallujah was moved out there. After the game was announced, the subject matter caused much controversy, and the game's publisher (Konami) pulled out. After 4 months, Atomic pretty much let everyone go and shut down production. Fortunately the same day that C found out he was out of a job, he also found out that he had an offer from THQ / KAOS Studios in Manhattan! We had taken a family trip to NYC for C's interview, and we liked it, so we were jazzed that he got the job (and that he had a job at all!).
We've been in NYC for two weeks now, and have had all of our stereotypes of New Yorkers blown away. People have been, for the most part, friendly, helpful, and welcoming. We signed the lease on an apartment a few days ago, and are pleased to be calling the Upper West Side (think "You've Got Mail") home. Our new place is just steps from wonderful Riverside Park. We'd love to hear from you and tell you all about it :-)
L is doing great; she's nearly 2.5, talking up a storm, and charming everyone we meet--she's very popular on the subway and often requests to ride the train or "see New York."
We found a new and loving home for our two dogs, Bailey and Elisa. We were very sad to say good-bye, but their new home and family is fantastic-they'll hardly miss us. In fact, when we went to say good-bye they seemed scared to leave their new home and come with us.
I'm at home with L, and looking forward to taking advantage of all of the literary opportunities that the City has to offer. In fact I've already been to a Young Adult book reading of seven authors--you know, market research!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
80* & Sun
I think I'm in love. With New York in the Fall.
Today was a fantastic day. First of I went to the Gap on 86th & Broadway to get the hat I saw there on clearance, and it is a good thing I did as I ended up walking from 86th st to 26th st (THAT IS 60 BLOCKS, PEOPLE!!!), not to mention back-tracking several avenues, and then back to the apartment on 32nd and to the park later in the day. Definitely go my exercise in today! i Even did that long walk on purpose, though I don't know that I will ever make that choice again!
L and I went to the park on Riverside and 83rd, spending quite a bit of time there. My heart was so full of gratefulness and contentment. The sun, the lovely weather, watching L playing happily—it all seemed so fantastic. On the way back we stopped by the marina to look at the boats. L kept insisting that we see the boats, and I kept insisting that we were looking at them. I think the poor dear wanted to ride on them, which would be nice; we'll just have to make some rich friends.
I decided to walk to the 59th st station, but by the time I'd gotten that far L had fallen asleep, so I just kept going. Somewhere along 40th and 5th ave Carlos called and asked me to meet him at work (27th and 7th ave), and I reluctantly agreed. I was having a hard time keeping the sleeping L out of the sun. Eventually we did meet C and I got some much-needed food, which helped with my increasing grumpiness greatly.
After coming “home” to freshen up and catch a small nap, we went to Madison Park until C met us there after work. L is such a monkey!! People are so impressed with her climbing abilities, and other moms are impressed that I don't have a heart attack while watching her, or even that I “let” her do it at all. Honestly, I don't know how so many parents can take over-protective to such extremes. I'm all for taking care of your kids, but if you never let them do anything they will go ape-nuts on you eventually.
After C arrived at the park he got a phone call from our realtor in NC—some people offered a bid for our house, we countered the offer, and they accepted!!! We close on October 30. So, barring something going haywire, OUR HOUSE IS SOLD and we break even! PRAISE THE LORD OH MY SOUL!!!
Everything is falling into place. Life is beautiful. I want to add to the beauty and spread it around. And right now, I want to go to bed!
I think I'm in love. With New York in the Fall.
Today was a fantastic day. First of I went to the Gap on 86th & Broadway to get the hat I saw there on clearance, and it is a good thing I did as I ended up walking from 86th st to 26th st (THAT IS 60 BLOCKS, PEOPLE!!!), not to mention back-tracking several avenues, and then back to the apartment on 32nd and to the park later in the day. Definitely go my exercise in today! i Even did that long walk on purpose, though I don't know that I will ever make that choice again!
L and I went to the park on Riverside and 83rd, spending quite a bit of time there. My heart was so full of gratefulness and contentment. The sun, the lovely weather, watching L playing happily—it all seemed so fantastic. On the way back we stopped by the marina to look at the boats. L kept insisting that we see the boats, and I kept insisting that we were looking at them. I think the poor dear wanted to ride on them, which would be nice; we'll just have to make some rich friends.
I decided to walk to the 59th st station, but by the time I'd gotten that far L had fallen asleep, so I just kept going. Somewhere along 40th and 5th ave Carlos called and asked me to meet him at work (27th and 7th ave), and I reluctantly agreed. I was having a hard time keeping the sleeping L out of the sun. Eventually we did meet C and I got some much-needed food, which helped with my increasing grumpiness greatly.
After coming “home” to freshen up and catch a small nap, we went to Madison Park until C met us there after work. L is such a monkey!! People are so impressed with her climbing abilities, and other moms are impressed that I don't have a heart attack while watching her, or even that I “let” her do it at all. Honestly, I don't know how so many parents can take over-protective to such extremes. I'm all for taking care of your kids, but if you never let them do anything they will go ape-nuts on you eventually.
After C arrived at the park he got a phone call from our realtor in NC—some people offered a bid for our house, we countered the offer, and they accepted!!! We close on October 30. So, barring something going haywire, OUR HOUSE IS SOLD and we break even! PRAISE THE LORD OH MY SOUL!!!
Everything is falling into place. Life is beautiful. I want to add to the beauty and spread it around. And right now, I want to go to bed!
Friday, September 11, 2009
We Did It! We've Got an Apartment!
65* and rain all day
Well! We signed for the apartment today! Our new home as of October 1 will be across the street from Riverside Park! Yay! Just like "You've Got Mail"....
To get to the signing L and I had to take 3 trains and walk in the rain. I had an umbrella, but it was broken (so was the other one for C—here I pack two umbrellas, thinking I am awesome, and both are bunk!).
After we had a celebratory lunch at a cute—and very tasty—French restaurant on Broadway. Good food, good people-watching, good ambiance: I hope we will go there for more celebrations in the future.
After C went back to work and L and I went to the apartment so that I could measure everything. I am so glad that I did; I think that I might have a chance at having a dishwasher! There is an 18 5/8” gap in the kitchen, and they make 18” dishwashers... there is hope!
I also think that we're going to have to go with lace curtains... It wouldn't be my fist choice, but I don't mind, and the apartment's style is so old-school, I can't imagine anything else.
C is so very relieved about having a place to live--he might even be back to his old self soon; I'm sure if we sold the NC house he would be there within 24 hours. I don't know if I am there yet; I had a hard time sleeping last night and kept waking up thinking about how I was going to decorate—-if I could afford it; how to make the most of the space, etc. I don't know if I will be settled until we are actually...settled. Then, after establishing a home, there is establishing a life. * Sigh *
L and I spent the rest of the day (we got home at 4) just chilling. Sitting out the rain, snuggling and watching Finding Nemo...again.
Well! We signed for the apartment today! Our new home as of October 1 will be across the street from Riverside Park! Yay! Just like "You've Got Mail"....
To get to the signing L and I had to take 3 trains and walk in the rain. I had an umbrella, but it was broken (so was the other one for C—here I pack two umbrellas, thinking I am awesome, and both are bunk!).
After we had a celebratory lunch at a cute—and very tasty—French restaurant on Broadway. Good food, good people-watching, good ambiance: I hope we will go there for more celebrations in the future.
After C went back to work and L and I went to the apartment so that I could measure everything. I am so glad that I did; I think that I might have a chance at having a dishwasher! There is an 18 5/8” gap in the kitchen, and they make 18” dishwashers... there is hope!
I also think that we're going to have to go with lace curtains... It wouldn't be my fist choice, but I don't mind, and the apartment's style is so old-school, I can't imagine anything else.
C is so very relieved about having a place to live--he might even be back to his old self soon; I'm sure if we sold the NC house he would be there within 24 hours. I don't know if I am there yet; I had a hard time sleeping last night and kept waking up thinking about how I was going to decorate—-if I could afford it; how to make the most of the space, etc. I don't know if I will be settled until we are actually...settled. Then, after establishing a home, there is establishing a life. * Sigh *
L and I spent the rest of the day (we got home at 4) just chilling. Sitting out the rain, snuggling and watching Finding Nemo...again.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
After 8+ hours and 15 apts, Home Sweet Home??
After eight-and-a-half hours of walking all over the Upper West Side and looking at 15 different apartments with seven different people, we put an offer on a little apartment on 98th right off of Riverside Dr. It wasn't the biggest, it wasn't the fanciest or the “nicest,” the sunniest, or the most likely to be chosen by anyone else, but I do think it is the most “us,” despite the tiny kitchen, and the shabbiness. I couldn't understand the attraction the place held on me (or Carlos for that matter). He put his finger on it only after we got home—the place has a European vibe—reminding us of the apartment we stayed in in France.
French doors, high ceilings (very high ceilings), the huge gray marble foyer, the old-world styling of the rooms (corners rounded off near the ceiling)--it just has an attraction. The kitchen is absurd and I am afraid of regretting it later, but I am hoping that a rolling island will help that be more tolerable. I am also hoping that I can make the bedroom walk-thru to the toilet more private for our bedroom, I think that the living room area will be charming and the office/library/L's room will be cute as well. It is in the back of the building on the first floor so it should be quiet but have low light. It is on the first floor, which is great with a baby and stroller, etc. I hope that if we like it and do well there that they will let us know if something bigger becomes available (especially if our family expands). The walls and floor/ceilings are thick and the piano should not be a problem. In fact, there is a piano teacher above us—maybe C can finally take lessons! A woman from the building told me that she loves it there, that it is like a vertical neighborhood. I hope so!
I am only feeling a bit torn about Riverside Park vs. Central Park. We'd been looking near CPW for so long, hoping for it so much. We even could have been the neighbor to some people L & I met at a CP playground last week. L got on great with their son, and it would be cool to be neighbors with these cool people but... but I don't know. That apartment is $500 more per month! That is a lot of gluten-free doughnuts!
If nothing else, it should be a quiet, nice place to meet other kids and parents.
If nothing else, it should be and adventure.
French doors, high ceilings (very high ceilings), the huge gray marble foyer, the old-world styling of the rooms (corners rounded off near the ceiling)--it just has an attraction. The kitchen is absurd and I am afraid of regretting it later, but I am hoping that a rolling island will help that be more tolerable. I am also hoping that I can make the bedroom walk-thru to the toilet more private for our bedroom, I think that the living room area will be charming and the office/library/L's room will be cute as well. It is in the back of the building on the first floor so it should be quiet but have low light. It is on the first floor, which is great with a baby and stroller, etc. I hope that if we like it and do well there that they will let us know if something bigger becomes available (especially if our family expands). The walls and floor/ceilings are thick and the piano should not be a problem. In fact, there is a piano teacher above us—maybe C can finally take lessons! A woman from the building told me that she loves it there, that it is like a vertical neighborhood. I hope so!
I am only feeling a bit torn about Riverside Park vs. Central Park. We'd been looking near CPW for so long, hoping for it so much. We even could have been the neighbor to some people L & I met at a CP playground last week. L got on great with their son, and it would be cool to be neighbors with these cool people but... but I don't know. That apartment is $500 more per month! That is a lot of gluten-free doughnuts!
If nothing else, it should be a quiet, nice place to meet other kids and parents.
If nothing else, it should be and adventure.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Life, Aquariums, and Parenting
I am afraid that L has heard the 'F' word more times in the last week than I did until High School. I wouldn't be surprised if she just says it one of these days, completely innocently, and then I won't know what to do. People's obliviousness to those around them, especially those little ones around them, is astounding (Here I am, the pot calling the kettle black, I am sure, but still!). You could not pay me to be 15 or 16 again. Though I would hopefully use my time more wisely than I did previously....
We went out to the Aquarium at Coney Island/Brighton Beach relatively early today. L has been so obsessed with Finding Nemo that it was not very hard to convince her to take the long train ride to go and see Nemo and Dorey in the flesh. We had a great time; the weather was very mild which added to the ejoyment.
We enjoyed the reef, the sea lion show, the walrus, the sea horses, and, of course, the tank containing the Dorey and Nemo look-a-likes. Jelly fish and eels still creep me out. Sharks and manta rays are still cool.
After, we enjoyed a walk on the boardwalk while L napped. The beach looked inviting though chilly, and I was surprised by how much the surrounding neighborhood seemed to be a big dump.
On the way out, after we'd transferred and been on the train for a while, C told me that we were passing through the area that one of the Brokers wanted us to look in. We were on the el, and I could see that this place was 1) a dump, and 2)way too far out--we'd been on the train a while. What is it with these brokers??? Honestly. Totally not listening.
On the parenting side of things, I love my L, she is great, she is beautiful, she is startlingly smart (yesterday she told us, “the problem is dada...,” [only she pronounced it 'ploblem'] when we were telling her to do something she didn't want to; and she amazes me with what she remembers and the fanciful stories she makes up, not to mention her climbing ability is that of an older child). But she's on the edge, and so am I, and we push each other nearly over from time to time.
We went out to the Aquarium at Coney Island/Brighton Beach relatively early today. L has been so obsessed with Finding Nemo that it was not very hard to convince her to take the long train ride to go and see Nemo and Dorey in the flesh. We had a great time; the weather was very mild which added to the ejoyment.
We enjoyed the reef, the sea lion show, the walrus, the sea horses, and, of course, the tank containing the Dorey and Nemo look-a-likes. Jelly fish and eels still creep me out. Sharks and manta rays are still cool.
After, we enjoyed a walk on the boardwalk while L napped. The beach looked inviting though chilly, and I was surprised by how much the surrounding neighborhood seemed to be a big dump.
On the way out, after we'd transferred and been on the train for a while, C told me that we were passing through the area that one of the Brokers wanted us to look in. We were on the el, and I could see that this place was 1) a dump, and 2)way too far out--we'd been on the train a while. What is it with these brokers??? Honestly. Totally not listening.
On the parenting side of things, I love my L, she is great, she is beautiful, she is startlingly smart (yesterday she told us, “the problem is dada...,” [only she pronounced it 'ploblem'] when we were telling her to do something she didn't want to; and she amazes me with what she remembers and the fanciful stories she makes up, not to mention her climbing ability is that of an older child). But she's on the edge, and so am I, and we push each other nearly over from time to time.
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