Frivolity at NYU

First off, I apologize for taking over two weeks to post a new entry. While I had a large amount of time during Welcome Week to blog whenever I’d like, I simply do not have that opportunity as much anymore due to the start of classes. It’s not necessarily that I have a large amount of homework, it’s just that homework along with the other necessities have totally taken up most of my free time. 

I finally saw my first celebrity the other day whilst walking down University Place for dinner. Whilst crossing East 10th Street, I noticed that Peter Dinklage (the short fellow from such films as The Station Agent and Death at a Funeral) was walking next to me. It was quite exciting, though I’m probably the only one who cares about this. 

I spent most of last weekend being moderately sick with a cold, which was very upsetting. I had planned on seeing the new Alan Ball film that Friday, but that unfortunately did not quite work out like I wanted it to. I didn’t have any medication either and was too lazy to go out and buy any, but now with large amounts of decongestants and Extra Strength Tylenol I am on my way to a speedy recovery. People were very nice and came to visit me in my room (and watch SNL), so it wasn’t nearly as awful of a weekend as it could have been. 

The highlight of it all, however, was my encounter with this elderly woman on the sidewalk. Michael and I were walking up University Place (why does all the weird shit happen on this street?) when an elderly woman stopped me and asked me to tie her shoes. I stared at her awkwardly, assuming that if I bent down to tie her shoes she would probably shank me with the small knife that she inevitably was hiding out of my line of vision or try to sell me something, but that was not the case. She simply wanted her shoes tied. I attempted to do so to the best of my ability, but failed (It’s strangely difficult to tie someone else’s shoes) so I received a decent smack on the head from this elderly woman. Michael stepped in to rescue me from embarrassment, tied her shoes, and sent her on her way. 

Very strange stuff. 

This week should prove to be very exciting. I’m seeing the film adaptation of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist on Friday (with the director!) despite the fact that it doesn’t come out until sometime in October. And it’s free. You simply cannot go wrong with that. I’m curious to see how they will adapt it to the big screen yet still get it a PG-13 rating. That book had at least a hundred or so f-bombs in it. 

At this point, I’m perfectly satisfied with my college experience. I’m taking classes in the middle of Manhattan, I have a ton of great friends and a nicely developing relationship, and I have the opportunity to see at least two movies a weekend in theaters. I can’t really ask for more at this point. 

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I’m going to continue my movie updates in my next entry (I simply do not have time right now to go into detail about anything that I’ve watched recently) when I will probably rant and rave about Towelhead. I have been spending most of my free time (when I’m not sick or doing homework) at the Angelika on Houston Street. It’s one of the famous New York City art-house theaters, and it’s probably my favorite of the ones I’ve been to so far (the Angelika and the Sunshine). I still have to venture to Film Forum, Cinema Village, Quad Cinema, the intimidating IFC Center, and the other Village-centric theaters along with my eventual trek up to Midtown to the Paris. So much to do, so little time. 

Oh, see Vicky Christina Barcelona. It’s Woody Allen’s best film in a long time, and the ensemble is nothing short of brilliant. 

That is all.

Totally coping this idea from Michael’s blog, by the way. I figured that I would just put that out there. 

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- The Coney Island Cyclone is the roller coaster equivalent of being smacked repeatedly in the back with a sledgehammer. My spine has still not forgiven me. It also costs way too much money for one ride. 

- If I ever get “coked up and fucked bareback” (direct quote), I can go see the Sexual Health Peer Educator. 

- Goodie bags from the RA usually consist of usual things such as food and school supplies coupled with condoms and other fun stuff. 

- Chinatown is a great place to get weird Asian films such as City of SARS and Indiana Joai: ELEPHANT CEMETARY. 

- Louise Bourgeois has a thing for guillotines and giant penises. 

- Seeing Rocky Horror Picture Show live is one unforgettable experience. 

- I am the “Facebook King of NYU”. 

- Dorm food is not nearly as bad as everyone says it is, especially if you have a Chick-Fil-A on campus. 

- Houston Street is kind of sketchy in the late evening hours. 

- Bubble tea is strangely tasty, though moderately disgusting at the same time. 

- Williamsburg’s hipster population is insanely amusing, as is the chai tea to be had there and the record stores that are waiting to be explored. 

- Falafel is especially good when eaten on a park bench at one in the morning. 

- Wandering around Bobst at 11 PM isn’t odd. At all. 

And that’s all that I can think of. Welcome Week was such a blur, albeit a good one.