New
York City is my favorite destination. I'm there at
least twice a year and always have a blast. I've always felt
at home there, despite being born and raised in Central Ohio.
The best experience I've ever had was attending the Times Square
2000 New Year's Eve celebration. I spent over 16 hours in Times
Square on December 31, 1999, taking in the sounds and sights
and participating in the celebration of the century.
There are no words to express the pain, anger, shock, terror
and incredible sadness that the events of September 11th brought
for all of us. I remember that day and its images all too clearly
in my mind. It took me over a week to even process what happened.
I will never understand an act so evil as that one - how could
anyone harm thousands for no rational reason? Every trip I make
to the city I pay my respects to Ground Zero and the people
who perished there. My heart goes out to the people who have
lost loved ones in this tragedy. I am still grieving with you.
I included some photos of the Trade Center as I'd like to remember
it.
But New York City is much more than the sum of this disaster.
It is a dynamic, energetic, ever-changing, unique, fulfilling,
and the most incredible city there is. Everyone and everything
that makes up New York - from Fifth Avenue to the graffiti in
Soho - is an integral part of what makes New York so special.
The diversity of lifestyles is fascinating, and (despite some
rumors) the people are great.
In September of 2000, I embarked on a photo study of the city.
I was attempting to show how I saw New York, as I imagine we
all see it differently. I was also trying to capture the feeling
I had when I was there, especially after the Times Square experience
nine months earlier. I hit a lot of the tourist spots, but also
wandered around many neighborhoods and got off the beaten path.
The results of some of my photos are here on this page along
with my "tourist shots".
This past June I went with my parents and got the opportunity
to share with them some of the things that I really love about
the city. We found some awesome Italian restaurants in the Theater
District and roamed around and did some actual sightseeing (something
I rarely do when there). In December, I went for my annual Christmas
visit.
There will shortly be some NYC links on the top of this page.
If you think you may want to visit NYC and never have, Don't
think - GO. You'll absolutely love it. If you've been
already, tell me about it in the Guestbook.
Yours truly on the Rockefeller Ice, holding
on for dear life.
