I am a New Yorker!

Though that statement is quite false in reference to me. It seems that everyone in this city is desperately striving to be considered a true New Yorker and believe me there are certain ways you can tell if someone has… and especially hasn’t been in the city very long…

Here are a few ways you can tell someone is not a New Yorker-

1.) Either they cross the street too early and get beeped at (which is like being “called out”) by oncoming traffic or they cross the street too late. Hesitating will result in an unpleasant trampling by hurried pedestrians.

2.) They say sorry when they bump into you. Real New Yorkers throw nasty elbows and plant violent hockey-like shoves without regard and certainly without an apology.  

3.) Women who are new to the city walk to and from work in their 3-inch heels. Real NY woman throw on a pair of old sneakers with their finest work attire and smugly blow past the bluster stricken heel-wearing women.

4.) They are happy. There are only a few acceptable expressions a true New Yorker wears when walking down the street and happy certainly isn’t one of them.

5.) They walk slow-no explanation needed there, but if you aren’t in a mid-sprint you best believe you are about to hear some ungodly cussing directed your way.

6.) They are entertained by subway performers. Real New Yorkers have been there and seen that! Therefore, an old homeless man signing about 16-year old girls or two struggling transvestites doing the disco in the middle of a train doesn’t even register as something they should acknowledge.

That’s all for now-as I get more NYC sophisticated  I will finish this list…and if you think you know anymore post a comment!

Tranquil Thursday

After a long sleep I awoke feeling much better and although my eye was still blood-shot red hurting like a biotch I managed to make it through the day.

The day started off relatively slow. I ran some errands, all of which were near by so I didn’t have to ride the subway. I have to wonder if Katie is ever going to want me to take the train after my first misfortune? Hm only time will tell…

Anyway my Thursday was very peaceful. I got out of work early due to the holiday weekend and I rested the entire evening. Planning ahead I knew that tomorrow was the July the 4^th and if I didn’t want to look like a scary one-eyed monster then I needed some good R & R!

Hey, interns make mistakes too

So, the second day at Rabbit was not so kosher, and as all things in life go, the second time is never as good as the first time…so a screw up was bound to happen on my end.

And maybe it was my fault…maybe it was going out to the local Greenwich bars the night before with my roommate from Jersey and her girlfriends (pictures included) or maybe it was my horrible and intense allergies from this smoggy and dirt driven city (not in a negative manner but lets face it this city  damn dirty) or perhaps it was sheer bad luck-I dont know, but my second day at Rabbit was far from easy sailing (as they would say in Florida).

Day two might have started out with a bit of a hangover…hey, partying with under aged girls at raunchy bars can take a toll on this “old” woman’s body. Regardless, I was a bit groggy and thankfully it seemed everyone else at Rabbit was as well. Isn’t that the best…hangover on hangover: how to manage in the workforce while slightly intoxicated-sounds like a good “how to” book, right? 

My second day I was allotted more responsibilities than just passing out copied paper and answering the phones. One job in particular was to pick up a pair of speakers that my boss, Douglas wanted for his new big screen television in his office. The funny thing about the TV was that in all its big screen Hi-Def glory the manufactures forgot to include speakers. For this reason, I would be venturing to Circuit City in Union Square.

Being the city suave girl I am learning to be I had prepared for an outing such as this and pulled my sneakers out of my purse.  As I was tying my shoelace, Katie shot me a confused expression and said, you are not planning on walking there. I would have answered with a yes, but clearly that was a not a question -it was more of a command. 

At this moment, suave city girl disappeared and my southern side really showed. In the mist of insisting that I would just walk the fifteen blocks Katie completely called me out and said have you not been on the subway? I meekly answered, not alone.

This is when Madonna’s producer Holli, Holli calls me Intern not Erin not even Erin the Intern, but just Intern. She was working at Rabbit while Madonna was shooting a video and  she is a good friend of Douglas’s.

Anyway, Holli overheard the commotion and went all crazy bitch on me. She pulled out her map and starting quizzing me on what’s uptown-what’s downtown…answers I didn’t know.

First, she wanted to prove to me that I was clueless (which she was fabulous at doing) and then she wanted to help.

Holli jerked me off my seat (literally…she is quite aggressive) and told Katie she would walk me down. Katie passed me  her unlimited metro pass and my e-gift certificate for $300 dollars. She told me not to loose it and wished me good luck.

Walking to the subway with Holli was more like a hustle or a small sprint. She was spouting out information and rushing me along. We arrived at the gate as the N-train was pulling up. Holli swiped Katie’s metro card placed it in my hand and gave me a good shoved right onto the train. As I flew in, a bit surprised, the train doors close and I turned to see Holli waving ecstatically- ahh she was so proud…and honestly, a bit fucking crazy. 

There I was on my first subway trip…all alone. See Dad, this is the type of freedom I am talking about…personal freedom/independence NOT financial freedom (seriously not financial freedom…please don’t cut me off).

Two stops later I arrived on 14^th street in Union Square. I love Union Square. It is four blocks up from my dorm and a very populated area at night even during the days there are always crazy festivals taking place.

I walked into Circuit City not knowing the agony I was about to be put into.  Instantly I noticed a difference in costumer service. It took me three employees to find the speakers-instead of walking me to the section they would sluggishly point in a general direction. How rude? And lazy! Damn northerns…

Finally, I got to the correct section and this large black man unwillingly helped me. He said they had one more set of speakers in stock and proceeded to ring me up. However, the e-gift card Katie purchased was not valid?? To make a long …long…long story short Katie and I both had to speak to various people over the phone and in the store to finally make the purchase.

I had been there for two hours I was sweaty, hungry, hung-over, and starting to get a gnarly eye infection.  After another thirty minutes and about four bitchy costumer service people I had Douglas speakers…

What I didn’t have was Katie’s unlimited metro card. Mother F**$#@! 

This is when I started freaking out on multiple Circuit City employees…it got messy and I looked even worse. My right eye was bright red and starting to swell. After many attempts I had to accept my screw up. The card was gone. I called Eva hoping to hear some good news , but she said there was nothing I could do.  So I cried…in the Circuit City CD isle.  Not only did it take me two and a half hours to get speakers but in the strife of it all I lost my bosses metro card! Classic intern

I called Katie on my train back and prepared her for the bad news. Luckily she purchased her metro card on a credit and had it canceled. I felt a little better-still I was defeated by a fucking Circuit City trip.

All I wanted to do was go home… It was after five when I arrived back at Rabbit. Katie said I could leave and as I was packing up one of our directors Melissa pulled me aside to help her scan some material and make a bunch of PDF’s.

I have never worked with a director one on one but I was aware of their perfection obsessed personalities. The myth is true, two hours later and with nearly every attempt of mine shot down Katie insisted to Melissa that I go home. Thank God for Katie.

With a swollen blood-shot eye I walked home…feeling a bit like a screw-up. Then my Mother reminded me hey, interns make mistakes too!  

Rabbit Pictures

First Day

Rabbit

I left my dorm pretty early because the walk is about 20 minutes. Not knowing what to expect I dressed semi-casual and packed heels in my purse to put on once I got there. Obviously walking 20 minutes in heels was out of the question…great choice on my part (more on that later).

Anyway, my first day at Rabbit content was wonderful. Located on the corner of Broadway and Prince in the heart of SoHo, which stands for South of Houston street. Houston street is a long and popular street in NY and widely used for reference when getting/giving directions.

Rabbit is located on the top floor of a large brick building.  It is like no office I have been in before the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting-almost home-like. There is chill music playing throughout and large opened windows letting in NY cool breezes and sunlight. Instead of small cubicles and isolated offices we have couches, long tables and open rooms. It is pretty much a large penthouse where people constantly come in and out-chilling, chatting, and creating…It is quite social.

I had made a great choice by wearing flip-flops because everyone had either flats or sneakers on even the boss, Douglas was wearing shorts. The second I came in Katie put me to work and in typical intern tradition I did a very random job. I had to assemble an orbital chair for Betsy and Katrin’s room (picture included).

My other tasks for the day included: Grabbing copied paper from the printer and walking it to the rightful master and learning to answer and transfer callers on the telephone (this was done with minimal difficulty only hanging up on every other incoming call)…that’s pretty much it.

Other than those few small tasks Katie, my boss, wanted me to take the day to get use to the office/penthouse and the people working in it…using my detective skills here is what I have discovered about the staff at Rabbit.

When you walk into the front door of the office you greeted by a lovely 22-year-old British woman with a sensational accent that can even make the word fuck sound proper.  She has been with Douglas (the owner who is also British) the longest-it seems she was an intern in London at the company that Douglas worked for. When he decided to open his own business he brought Danielle with him. She is his personal assistant but helps everyone else out as well.

After Danielle greets you, the various barking dogs that roam our office often greet you.  In general having dogs in an office is considered not professional, but the word professional seems to be quite meaningless in this office…thankfully!

Then you will see Katie, my boss. Katie is probably in her mid- 20’s and from Minnesota. She is fantastic! I like her most because her personality is quite genuine and raw.  She says what she wants (cuss words often included) and never sugar coats anything…but she is not too aggressive and intimating. She made me feel comfortable and like I could ask her anything (good boss).

Next there is Betsy and Katrin. I am not quite sure of their rolls in the company but as soon as I have that figured out I will update. I do know Katin is from Germany and Betsy has the cutest dog.

Then there is Douglas. He is the owner of Rabbit and a great leader. He seems to be very respected by his employees, he knows everyone and has many friends.  There is no doubt that he is successful, but he is not flash (flash is a British word I have picked up it means cocky and flaunty-two things Douglas is not), which is rare.

Finally, there is Keith. My best judgment would lead me to believe that Keith, our office cook, is gay (hopefully that isn't rude or offensive just kinda pointing out the obvious).  He is wonderful and instantly made me feel welcome. He also makes and orders the best tasting food and always keeps a snack on the kitchen island. He has Bagels and pastries in the morning then fresh fruit or maybe some cheesecake and coffee in the afternoon, he might throw together a nice cheese platter or some guacamole and pita throughout the day. Whatever he is cooking up looks picture perfect and tastes even better.

Finally, I met a few of our directors all of which were very unique and even more talented. Overall, it is an pleasant and inspiring group at Rabbit and I am happy to be involved with them.

 

Tavern on the Green and Subway Pictures

Just got off the subway
Christina, Eva and I on the Subway
Tavern on the Green before we left

RECAP-Day Three YANKEE GAME!

Day two...

Maybe it was all the trendy drinks or the sauna-like atmosphere of my dorm, but I slept like a baby my first night in New York City. I had been anticipating waking up in the city for some time now. This was due solely to the famous Frank Sinatra's song "New York, New York" that I had been relentlessly over-playing for the last few weeks. You know you know how it goes...

*I wanna wake up in the city, that doesn't sleep-

*And find I'm king of the hill- top of the heap-A # one

*These little town blues, are melting away...I would go on, but i probably already got it stuck in your head for at least a couple hours! Ha.

Anyway, so there I was waking up in the city with actually nothing to do. Under the circumstances and being the girly-girly that I am I had to go shopping and it was wonderful! After an exhausting day of walking mile after mile and viciously fighting off the New York shopping crowd I was extremely hungry! Thus, I checked out the dining hall at NYU. 

It's cool because when I signed up for my dorm I also had to choose a dining hall package (of course the price was not included as in NY everything cost an arm or a leg maybe even just a piece of your ear-but hell it's pricey). At first, I wasn't thrilled about this cafeteria situation but it has proven to be quite convenient and very tasty. 

After my lonely lunch, and yes, I ate alone like a loser, I wanted to check out the gym. The gym I was going to was about a 15 or 20 minutes walk so I had time for my food to digest (in case anyone was worried about my digestive system). At the gym I met an awesomely adorable guy from Tennessee and he was the only "tenn I see". Just kidding I just always have wanted to use that line...

Anywho, the guy showed me all the in's and out's of the gym. They have a lot of rules so I am glad he gave me the low-down. Also, he showed me how to sign up for spinning classes. So yes, ARI the answer to "Do you think I should bring my spinning shoes to New York", shouldn't have been no.  

During my workout I got a text from lovely Eva asking me if I wanted to go to the Yankee's game that night because her friend Christina got tickets for Eva, her other friend Julie and me. I didn't even consider turning them down even if the following morning was my first day on the job . Clearly, I came to party (j/k DAD I came for other things too). 

Moving on, because this is getting lengthy (so much to say). I met Eva and the girls at Tavern on the Green (where they work at planning events) and had a couple glasses of champagne. Then I took my first subway with the girls to the Bronx for the game...I have another not-so-great alone subway experience, which will be offered in coming posts. I thought the subway was pretty raunchy but fun although, I will say that Christina didn't think the subway was so great, as it was her first experience as well. 

The Yankees game was fabulously and I hear I am very lucky to have attended one of the games because this is the last season that they will play in this stadium. I am told it has held a lot of records (Babe Ruth? right? I don't know I went for the beer, hot dogs, and cute boys).  And after the game, which they lost to Texas, the girls and I hit up a famous Yankee bar that was behind the stadium. We were actually summoned in by sweaty men and only stayed for a couple beers because "we are working women" (Quote: Julie), but the bar it was a pretty great time! Overall, day two was a another success! AND Day three I will start my J.O.B. (unpaid and not for school credit...i might be getting screwed-OH well! I am in NYC)! Good night...