Thoughts About The Big Apple.

Is New York City 🍎 actually the center of the world?

As you may have grasped from my last post and latest social media activity, I have been making myself at home in Brooklyn for the past couple of weeks. 

The decision to split my time between my home country (Italy 🇮🇹) and the US stems mostly from a private necessity rather than a professional quest, yet as I figure out the next steps in my ever-evolving career–if so I may even call it–I have been feeling like this omnipotent city could provide me with a few necessary stepping stones to my final destination.

As I adjust back into full time freelancing, I have been deeply scrutinizing my needs and wants when it comes to professional fulfillment. I found that the most important thing is to make money through projects that severely align with my values and higher purpose in life; projects that are simultaneously intellectually stimulating and provide tools to those who need them. 
While it’s quite hard to have your cake and eat it too when it comes to this particular topic–most community based projects barely have the funds to keep the lights on, those backed by corporations usually mean well but fail in the execution and starting your own business comes with a set of hurdles that no amount of corporate training prepares you for–the ubiquitous energy permeating the bustling streets of New York has given me the resilience needed to push forward and draw a line under those goals that, no matter the outcome, will teach me a lesson while on the journey. 

The fact that stopping for a coffee and croissant after my morning workout once a week costs me the same as doing so almost every day of the month in Milan probably plays a role in juicing the grit out of me, but I now understand why so many people across the globe flock to this place with big dreams of “making it”.
 
The longer I spend familiarizing with the neighborhood and trying to memorize train patterns by heart so I don’t get lost in the case my phone dies or runs out of data, the more my brain feels creatively motivated.
My daily writing exercises have increased in quality, my ideas flow better, my impostor syndrome resurfaces less. I can even work from bed without feeling like an irresponsible bum.

There is something magic about New York. A sense of power that rarely replicates elsewhere–not Los Angeles, not Weil Am Rhein (Germany), not Dubai, nor Milan have given me this feeling.

Possibly this sentiment springs from the novelty of exploring uncommon grounds, but given my loath for the overarching American system–and all of its appalling contradictions–I think my proclivity to feel enamored with The Big Apple spawns from the endless opportunities available here. Ubiquitous inspiration plays a role too.

For example, I have been flirting with the idea of applying my writing skills beyond paper, to explore filmmaking and documentary production.
While I started laying the groundwork in Milan, studying the art of script writing and storytelling for the screen, I never just randomly walked into a bookshop and immediately found a plethora of literature on the subject.
During my first visit to Bed-Stuy, I purchased three books that will help me expand my knowledge on the matter. Books that I had never come across in any of the many bookstores I usually peruse in Europe or online.
It felt like these titles were just sitting there waiting to be picked up by somebody like me, an aspiring treatment professional on a stroll down an unknown block.

In New York, everything seems to happen seamlessly—in a cinematic kind of way too. 
What you see in those corny rom-coms and funny sit-coms can very easily manifest right before your eyes. I know, because it has happened to me multiple times.
First, when I decided to attend an Italian-American fest powered by The Giglio Boys Club in East Williamsburg on Columbus Day, then when I was invited on a pizza date on the roof of our building and the pie was great too (can you believe that??).

I know what you are thinking, this sounds like a strong case of “the grass is always greener on the other side” and to an extent, it is.
However, something I have been observing is that, no matter how “in between” projects you are in this town, if you strive hard enough, the reward for your dedication and courage is more lucrative than anywhere else.

It seems like in New York City you only have to be right once.

Maybe it’s the fact that debt is inevitable in the life of Americans, or that kids are force-fed hustling culture straight out of the womb, but my local pool of friends inspires me beyond imagination. 

Another indescribable feature is the Manhattan skyline. It sparks unprecedented emotions in me. 

Yesterday, as I stood on the East River overlooking the glistening glass buildings on the other side of the shore at dusk, just before rain-charged clouds filled the sky, a pungent cloud of puff smoke abruptly replaced the inebriating smell of delicious Mexican delicacies frying on a nearby food truck. 

A young lady carrying a furry handbag in the shade of light blue and gray led what looked like a video maker and a makeshift lighting assistant holding an oversized neon stick to the end of the Long Island City pier.
Confidently, she leaned back on the rail, directing the men on how to get the perfect shot while making sure her slicked down ponytail complimented her look. A rose tattoo graced the left side of her face.
All of a sudden, loud rap music burst out of a portable speaker. She began fiercely walking side to side rapping along what sounded like a botched attempt to become the next Cardi B. I was both amused and appalled by her confidence. Where else could this happen if not in Queens?

As I made my way back to our apartment assimilating what I had just experienced, I began thinking about all of the songs that were made in praise of New York.
From Frank Sinatra to Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys, Ja Rule’s ode to the city and everything in between. A warm sense of gratitude slowly swarmed me.

I couldn’t help but ask myself “Is New York City the true center of the world?” — Maybe it is.

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Here’s a list of foodstuff I tried & co-sign:

🍕 — Pizza Margherita from Salsa Pizzeria, Greenpoint
☕️ — $3.45 Espresso Macchiato from Paloma Coffee, Greenpoint
🍜 — Almond Miso Soup from Rule of Thirds, Greenpoint
🧀 — Pecorino Romano from Eastern District, Greenpoint