BBQ's Are Illegal in NYC (Penny)

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"Throw a shrimp on the barbie!", chant the Yanks as we Aussies cruise their streets with our funny accents and insistence on the term 'prawn'. Little do we know just how exotic the whole BBQ concept is to New Yorkers. In a city where gas bottles are outlawed, there's only so much one can chargrill over a mound of coal in less than an afternoon. Why would you bother? Real New Yorkers don't. 24-hour availability of every conceivable fodder tends to negate the need for effort, whilst killing a little of the magic too. But for some reason the lip-smacking, mouthwatering aroma of singed animal flesh swirls across Manhattan rooftops like a livid beast, diving streetward to assault the nostrils of innocent passers-by. That's when you know you've passed an Australian-occupied abode. It's amazing how far foreign ignorance can get you in this town. And every balmy weekend evening we find ourselves gnawing on gas-fired BBQ prawns, downing a Coopers or five, and dreaming of beach cricket.

As the old life cliche goes: when a door closes, a window of opportunity opens up. My amazing foresight in slamming the bookselling door caused a wild rush of wind to rattle the window panes way down in SoHo. Two days later I was meeting with the director of my ideal architectural firm and the following Monday I started freelancing for them. My current contract should last a month or two, but we've already discussed my permanent salary for when the time comes. The moral of the story? ... Dreams, (jumbled with a touch of persistence) really do come true in New York. Even better, my current role involves celebrity benefits. I'm surveying Sigourney Weaver's apartment block on the East River. And the SoHo firm designs the annual Post-Oscar Vanity Fair party in Hollywood. This, of course, leads to a multitude of celebrity clients seeking an architect for their latest Majorcan getaway or private mansion. Bring it on!

Dave is packing for Costa Rica right this second. He leaves at 4am tomorrow morning.... alone. (Damn dream job!)

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Photos

Very Expensive Chocolate
But oh so good.

Dave's Motherload
He drags home random street furniture everytime he goes drinking.

Comments

[Mark]

whilst i dont want to critisise (or would that be critisize for you) your appartment photos, they do look stunning, they seem a bit militant. are you planning to overthrow a small, poor african country after all your bbqs, sunbathing and designing for celebrities in new york ?

[Rosanne]

Congratulations!
Ohh Congratulations Penny! Great a real job and sounds like a good one too. I told you the magic was still there, just a little patience is all it took. So how is the new job going for you? Obviously perks as you stated sound pretty good to me. Still going to the writing classes? Dave back yet with his visa? How is he going with the job hunting? Sounds like you are settling into NYC very nicely. Will catch up soon with an email as I returned from Brisbane on Monday shopped out, and saw P!nk concert Friday night. She was AWESOME!!!!! Email you soon... xoxo

[Pen and Dave]

Militant Apartment Style
Ha! The framed photos came with the apartment Mark. I think the guy we're renting from has a photographer brother who spent time in Africa. They are phenomenal pics tho, as depressing as the subject matter is.

[Lee]

Those Penski trucks are the biggest celebs u guys have spotted for mine