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Published: October 13th 2008
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greg simkins art
going to see greg's work in NYC Unexpected blessings
It is hard to believe that the two weeks in New York has already come to an end. It is sad really to say good bye to the East Coast, Lisa and I were really getting used to our life in the big city. People always think of Los Angeles as a chaotic big city, but we have come to believe that LA is a calm and comfortable place in comparison. Neither of us would choose to live in NYC, however we have adjusted to it and learned to love what we have experienced. We are both bummed that we were not able to experience a real autumn season ... turbulence break...
The chill of the fall was such a wonderful feeling, to slightly bundle up and have fresh air to breathe rather than feel suffocated by the heat and have sweat bathing us when we tried to enjoy our day. I am quite sure that the fall in NYC is my favorite time to be there, however next time I will remember that the beginning of August is still green (not a bad thing, but I want orange)!
A friend of mine passed away
central park with kevin
met up with kevin and margit, this is in front of one of the little lakes in the park as soon as we had arrived in NYC and how thankful I am to have been on the east during that time. Emotionally it was very difficult. I can not quite explain the impact because to many it may seem ridiculous. It may seem crazy to say that a 52 year old man I met in a chat room and only saw once in person during New Years Eve in NYC last year would create this much emotion. I am not the only one he affected. People from all over the world that never even got to meet him have been grieving over the loss. Leo was such a pleasure to know as friend and he had certain qualities about him that reminded me of my father and of course drew me to him more. Many of us received his fatherly love. I will also never forget how he said if he were 20 years younger he would be after me. 😊 Because I was so lucky to be in NYC, the place I met him the first place, I was able to go to his funeral. The services were held in Boston and no other couchsurfers were able to
pittmans
just before monte went on stage attend, with much support from my fellow CS friends I found a way to get to Boston just in time to say goodbye and to share the love we all had for Leo with his children. Thank goodness Lisa and Monte are so wonderful and supportive for giving me the opportunity to go, it really meant a lot to me and I know it meant a lot to a slew of others.
I had always wanted to go to Boston, just never imagined the conditions of which would get me there. Lisa came home early from the concert and I jumped in a cab to catch a bus at 11:30 pm. The bus arrived just near 4am, I talked to the bus driver the majority of the way there, there was no way after losing Leo to a car accident I was going to let this man feel any ounce of tiredness. I sat in the bus station for close to 5 hours, trying to sleep in various positions on various benches... I found about an hour of peace, quiet and warmth on a granite bench in the ladies restroom. I slept sitting up with my bag on my
no fair...
waiting in the hallway for monte to finish his massage! lap. Peace...
At 9am Grace called and told me that she was running extremely late and asked if I could take a cab to the funeral. I ran outside and got a cab, 15 minutes and $30 later I arrived at the church. I was the first one there. I walked around, took a few photos and continued to reflect on the love Leo shared with so many. At the church I sat alone on the left side and all the family sat on the right. What I would have given at that moment to have someone next to me to bury my head, to hold my hand or just to share a smirk at times. Following the funeral I rode with Graces friend to the burial grounds. A beautiful cemetery cluttered with tombstones with the most Irish names imaginable. Was it only for the Irish? Bright orange, red and yellow leaves lay on trees scattered amongst those still changing. Piles of of leaves lay in the grass and slowly in the breeze more leaves fell from their trees. It was exactly what I wanted to experience and it was with Leo.
turbulence break...
The hardest part
ro and i
ariel playing photographer of the whole thing was when the Army people folded up the American flag and handed it to Grace. I secretly videotaped it, just in case she would want the footage later.
Following the burial we went to the local Elks lodge for food and reminiscing and for the family to spend time together. I got to meet his family and hear stories as well as share some. We took swigs off of Leo's 28 year old bottle of Jameson. That definitely finalized a lot of the situation for many of us. Before they got too drunk, Grace and her bf took me to the train. I was able to take the train to the city again to meet up with Natasha, a couchsurfer that helped me a lot with getting through the whole ordeal and helped me find a way to Boston. She showed myself and Gustavo around Boston, took us to a Boston CS meet up and offered her home to me to sleep so that I would not have to jump on a bus that night. It worked out well and Lisa said it was fine for me to return the next day. At 10 am
cheers
the boys before the hit the stage, taking down some patron I boarded a bus back to NYC.
Boston was beautiful and I am so thankful to Leo for getting me there. I appreciate the kindness of everyone through those days, the support and the love got me through it all and as I said before it meant a lot to a lot of people.
On with the show...
Lisa and the kids and I went to the Madonna concert twice this week at Madison Square Garden. The first day we went early and we sat in the dressing room for hours and hours. We were ok with it, it was like being in the hotel 😊 The first night Aurora wanted nothing to do with it but Ariel loved it, we switched off watching the show with Ariel and it worked out nicely. Last night not only was Aurora not enjoying her time at MSG, Ariel got freaked out at the show too. Poor Lisa barely saw any of the show but I was able to watch a good amount of it. The kids did not want her out of their sight. It is a very entertaining concert for sure and was a lot of fun to see.
the girls
at the concert, ooops sorry ro, cut you out Thanks to Lisa and Monte for that too.
I was able to see a few couchsurfing friends yesterday briefly at Starbucks and we also had Al-x visiting this week too so it was great to see all of them. I was also able to see Omar again which was lovely and we spent a few hours walking around and sitting on benches round Central Park. I will miss those times. I will miss NYC, I know I will be back but I am sure it will not be for some time.
I have been presented with a life changing choice to make during this trip, so we will see where that goes and what takes place over the weeks to come. I am excited to see how things pan out and to see what direction my life goes in. Stay tuned...
Oh and PS - I am still 34 lb lighter than I was in 2007, that is always a great path to be on. 😊 Best wishes to all for love, health and happiness!
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