Reading this, I was struck by how you're actually talking about life at two polar opposite ends of the spectrum. So, yeah, I can understand how you might be feeling a bit discombobulated. New York has so much to offer, but it comes with so much ubiquitous crap that it can seem as if you're up to your eyeballs. Small town Europe is a world away, and I can't think of anything more different- except for perhaps being on the surface of the moon...or on a lava bed in Iceland.
I'd imagine the culture shock alone would be staggering. I can't begin to imagine what the adjustment must be like. Know that I wish you the best going forward as you attempt to figure out which way is up. It's tough enough being a creative in this world. I suspect trying to do it in New York would be...challenging.
"Untrammeled capitalism perches gargoyle-like on your shoulder and shouts at you to go faster, faster, faster." -- What is sometimes referred to (in evolutionary circles, based on Lewis's "Alice" stories) "The Red Queen Gambit": you keep going faster to keep up with the things going faster to keep up with you. It is physically (never mind logically) impossible to sustain, and the only "solution" is when the entire system experiences a catastrophic collapse.
As little pieces of my self start coming back to life at the prospect (still a painful week+ away) of living somewhere that isn't a trailer-parked-behind-a-pole-barn-in-Johnston-City, the thought of dating again hisses in my ear like the serpent in the orchard. You think its bad in your age-group in NYC ...
My kids are early 2000's and I like the leash reference. But it's invisible and they are unaware of it. I really can't tell if the internet ruined everything or if it's the coolest thing since sliced bread. I ping pong back and forth. I wouldn't have a living without it. But porn has ruined sex. So, yeah. I think overall it's not been a good thing. And it's certainly rewired everyone's brain and not for the better. We all have ADHD and we got it from the phone.
So sorry you have the crud. I am STILL coughing from getting it on my concert tour of 4 dates that was cut in half by herself getting COVID. I had everything she had but never tested positive. When you are better, we are long overdue for a meal!!! xoxo
I'm sorry you're so sick! I hope you'll be better soon. NYC sounds a lot like L.A. -- only less self-absorbed! When I moved from L.A. to Las Vegas (not on the Strip, about 20 minutes' drive) I was so pleasantly surprised by how much nicer and friendlier people are. You just never know.
It's not easy anywhere. But I think one can make a decent life for themselves in NY--so long as you find a way to live on YOUR terms. Of course, for practical reasons ($), the odds of that happening are much greater in certain parts of Brooklyn or (where I live) in Queens. I'm sure parts of the Bronx are nice as well, but it's a lot further away if you have work-related concerns on the island of the Manhattoes.
Well, there's work-life balance and then there's Italy-New York balance. Wait, did I say "balance". I meant "imbalance". Reconciliation of these two things finds a metaphor in the spent, now laughable. dichotomy of heaven and hell. Thing is though, at least the latter propelled spiritual seeking. These latter day dichotomies send us forth to eternal consumerism.
"These poor souls are on the electronic leash every moment of their lives." -- yes, THIS!! I'm in Australia and I see the same thing. Almost everyone aged 55 and under is on the 'leash' and we are increasingly disconnected from each other. The narrative that the online world (social media included) makes us more connected only holds water to a point, until is starts leaking like a sieve. In one of our states, they recently banned phones in schools and I thought, Thank Goddess for that!
Sounds like your transition back to the States is a bit challenging - hope you feel better soon. Why did you need to return there?
Reading this, I was struck by how you're actually talking about life at two polar opposite ends of the spectrum. So, yeah, I can understand how you might be feeling a bit discombobulated. New York has so much to offer, but it comes with so much ubiquitous crap that it can seem as if you're up to your eyeballs. Small town Europe is a world away, and I can't think of anything more different- except for perhaps being on the surface of the moon...or on a lava bed in Iceland.
I'd imagine the culture shock alone would be staggering. I can't begin to imagine what the adjustment must be like. Know that I wish you the best going forward as you attempt to figure out which way is up. It's tough enough being a creative in this world. I suspect trying to do it in New York would be...challenging.
Mazel Tov! 🤗❤️
"Untrammeled capitalism perches gargoyle-like on your shoulder and shouts at you to go faster, faster, faster." -- What is sometimes referred to (in evolutionary circles, based on Lewis's "Alice" stories) "The Red Queen Gambit": you keep going faster to keep up with the things going faster to keep up with you. It is physically (never mind logically) impossible to sustain, and the only "solution" is when the entire system experiences a catastrophic collapse.
As little pieces of my self start coming back to life at the prospect (still a painful week+ away) of living somewhere that isn't a trailer-parked-behind-a-pole-barn-in-Johnston-City, the thought of dating again hisses in my ear like the serpent in the orchard. You think its bad in your age-group in NYC ...
My kids are early 2000's and I like the leash reference. But it's invisible and they are unaware of it. I really can't tell if the internet ruined everything or if it's the coolest thing since sliced bread. I ping pong back and forth. I wouldn't have a living without it. But porn has ruined sex. So, yeah. I think overall it's not been a good thing. And it's certainly rewired everyone's brain and not for the better. We all have ADHD and we got it from the phone.
So sorry you have the crud. I am STILL coughing from getting it on my concert tour of 4 dates that was cut in half by herself getting COVID. I had everything she had but never tested positive. When you are better, we are long overdue for a meal!!! xoxo
I'm sorry you're so sick! I hope you'll be better soon. NYC sounds a lot like L.A. -- only less self-absorbed! When I moved from L.A. to Las Vegas (not on the Strip, about 20 minutes' drive) I was so pleasantly surprised by how much nicer and friendlier people are. You just never know.
It's not easy anywhere. But I think one can make a decent life for themselves in NY--so long as you find a way to live on YOUR terms. Of course, for practical reasons ($), the odds of that happening are much greater in certain parts of Brooklyn or (where I live) in Queens. I'm sure parts of the Bronx are nice as well, but it's a lot further away if you have work-related concerns on the island of the Manhattoes.
Well, there's work-life balance and then there's Italy-New York balance. Wait, did I say "balance". I meant "imbalance". Reconciliation of these two things finds a metaphor in the spent, now laughable. dichotomy of heaven and hell. Thing is though, at least the latter propelled spiritual seeking. These latter day dichotomies send us forth to eternal consumerism.
"These poor souls are on the electronic leash every moment of their lives." -- yes, THIS!! I'm in Australia and I see the same thing. Almost everyone aged 55 and under is on the 'leash' and we are increasingly disconnected from each other. The narrative that the online world (social media included) makes us more connected only holds water to a point, until is starts leaking like a sieve. In one of our states, they recently banned phones in schools and I thought, Thank Goddess for that!
Sounds like your transition back to the States is a bit challenging - hope you feel better soon. Why did you need to return there?