the last five years
(but not the musical) celebrating my 5 year anniversary in NYC!
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
Last week I celebrated my New York-aversary—five years since packing up my life in the Bay Area and moving to the greatest city in the world. On September 5, 2019, Eli greeted me in our 550 sq ft apartment with a Scarr’s pie, C-sal, and wine. We had an unboxing of my “welcome to New York” care packages (including a Homesick San Francisco candle that acted as my signature scent for that whole fall).
I believe in celebrating everything. I used to keep a bottle of champagne in my fridge at all times just to be prepared for what could happen1. I think I’m like this in part because I work for myself, and milestones can go unrecognized if I’m not the one pushing for acknowledgment and fanfare. Landed a new client? Huge—pop ‘em! Negotiated a higher raise? Girlboss—pop ‘em! Launched a new website? Ok, women in STEM2—pop ‘em! Moved to a new city on your own and also started working for yourself? You crazy girl—POP ‘EM!
So every year for the past five years, on my New York-aversary, Eli and I have grabbed slices at Scarr’s and subsequent drinks in LES. This year, however, I opted to expand the party. I invited a group of friends to Wu’s Wonton King (also a frequent haunt during my first years in NYC) and tried to make it feel like a broader celebration of everyone’s time in New York. I posed the question: “When did you know you were a New Yorker?” As we went around the table, we laughed because most of the answers were about the shittiest days we had in the city. They were about getting cussed out by a driver, getting into a bike accident, being bit by a rat, and absolutely shutting down a canvasser on Election Day only to turn around and find out that it was Cynthia Nixon3.
For locals, a fun question to mull over: When did YOU know you were a New Yorker?
Devoted Floor Time readers know that I often talk about how my move was not necessarily smooth-sailing. Despite wanting to live here for years prior, I found New York to be a difficult place to settle in, especially when my entire network of people remained in California. There are days where the city just decides to say, lolz here’s someone cussing you out just cause I’m in a silly, goofy, mood, and you kind of just have to…take it? (And then cuss back, obv). In the aftermath, you realize how resilient you are to those stressors and low moments, how grateful you are to be able to build a life here, and how your relationship with the city is kinda like a real relationship that only grows in understanding and strength as the years go by. I really can’t imagine living anywhere else. And just to be the most cliché, it’s true what they say: If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere—cause what the actual f*** is that list above of all the shit we’ve been through on like, a regular Wednesday in New York. A RAT BITE?! Be so for real.
One last thing, I was looking back at the Floor Time from the four year New York-aversary where I made a list of my favorite things. I’m resharing it because the list honestly hasn’t changed—I stand by these recs even a year later.
Something I Thought of in the Shower
How many years do we have until the Tree Paine biopic?
Something Pretty
I finally feel ready for fall after experiencing the most perfect summer sendoff last weekend in Montauk. I camped on the beach, surfed, and drank way too much craft beer. Let me say this, I might be a West Coast girlie at heart but the East Coast girlies really know how to live in the summer. Meredith Hayden is somewhere in Williamsburg, nodding her head in vehement approval.
Something To Laugh About
Here are this week’s gems:
I have caught myself existing in the context of all that which came before me too many times this week.
This one’s for the book girlies—we’ve all been there (aka here—starting a book at 10PM and reading until 3:99AM).
And this one’s for my crafting girlies, because we have all witnessed the fever dream that is the Michael’s seasonal section.
This visual representation of why I personally love fall!!!
By far the stupidest thing on the internet I saw this week, and also my favorite. Pop culture is the gift that keeps on giving.
I don’t have an explanation for this video, it just feels relatable, cutesy, and silly.
Something for Clarice
Hey! This newsletter is free and I intend to keep it that way. That said, if you love it and want to show your appreciation, buy me a coffee :)
By the way…I’m reading this.
I finally got my hands on Ziwe’s black friend. I’ve heard nothing but good things so I plan to devour it this weekend.
And I’m watching this.
Obviously it’s Emily in Paris season 4 part deux. We’re in Rome now??
Note: I literally can’t look at the picture below without hearing, “Isabella?” IYKYK.
Have a great weekend everyone! PSA that the first Fall Frequent Flyer has ~*D R O P P E D*~ at my local TJ’s and I have already acquired four boxes of my butt nut squaw mac & cheese. Run don’t walk, people.
‘Til next time, New Yorkers!!! Your friend,
Clarice
but then it became hard to sacrifice New York-sized fridge real estate to a Veuve Cliquot. that said, I feel like I should just say f*** it and start doing this again 🤪
read: used HTML to do literally one thing.
probably one of the best stories Chris has ever told.