Lightning

This month is hotter than it's been in New York City since Nixon was president, according to the local news, and so, as the cool fall weather tries to break the summer swelter, there have been some mighty storms in our neighborhood. Tonight, after working a full day, we set up the tripod, turned off the lights, sipped some cold beer, and enjoyed the view.

Photo © 2010 Brian Adams

Park Slope Tornado

Since we've moved to New York, we've seen very little rain--it has only rained once, in fact, since we've been here. So yesterday, when a violent storm and tornado swept into the city, we were surprised and unprepared to say the least. Brian was on his way to meet me at 6:00 in Soho where I've recently started working at The Knot, and, although he ducked into a pharmacy to buy an umbrella, he was completely soaked when I met him in the street.

When we arrived safely to our home in Park Slope, where the streets were littered with felled trees, broken sidewalks, and thrashed vehicles, we were thankful for much, but specifically that at least we didn't have a car--and especially a broken one!--to come home to.

More on the storm and clean-up efforts in the Wall Street Journal.


After a crazy, hectic week that ended in a storm and a morning of mellow work, Brian and I spent today enjoying our city and each other. We haven't lived in Brooklyn long, but we already have our routines and special places: we enjoy espressos from Cafe Grumpy, we pick up bagels from La Bagel Delight, and we take long walks in Prospect Park, especially at sunset.


Photos © 2010 Brian Adams
Photo of Brian's silhouette © 2010 Ash Adams

Where Were You on 9/11?

Yesterday marked the 9-year anniversary since the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, so Brian and I decided to spend the day talking with people throughout the city, starting at Ground Zero, to ask them where they were when they learned of the attacks. With an increasingly fragile political and economical climate in the U.S., we often forget how connected we are to one another, but in times of tragedy, we remember. If we could only keep in mind that we are all citizens of this country and citizens of the world even in times of peace, we may be able to better weather our problems and come to solutions that will positively benefit the most people.



"I was in a car with a couple of friends, running late to school. We were listening to the radio when we heard that the first plane had been hit. By the time we got to school, everyone was already crowded around the television sets. It struck me as odd that they said they knew who was responsible for the attacks so quickly, that day."
Michael Rattis, 26, Upstate NY


"I was in class at school in the Bronx. I was working on a project, and the teacher stopped the whole class and said that they'd knocked down the World Trade Center. I didn't believe it at first, but then we were dismissed and I walked outside, and the sky was filled with smoke."
Manny Ayala, 20, the Bronx NY


"I was at home--it was a Tuesday--and I heard it on the TV. At first, I thought that maybe something went wrong with the pilot of the first plane, but when the second one hit, we knew that it was something else."
Gina Staic, 51, Queens, NY

"I was working at a hotel on 34th street in Manhatten, and I was so scared at first. I left work and walked to my home after the second plane hit, and everyone was scared and looking at the sky."
Carmen Castilo, 56, Astoria, NY


"I was at Cafe Au Lait in New Jersey picking up cappuccinos for everyone at the office. Everyone froze in line and behind the counter; no one felt like ordering anything after that."
Jabier Robles, 43, with Janus, Edison, NJ


"I was little. I was at school, PS 64. They took us all to the auditorium and soon after our parents came to pick us up."
Chris Cruz, 17, Manhattan, New York, NY


"I was at the dentist office in Long Island when the first plane hit. I was really lucky that it took longer at the office than they expected--I heard the first plane crash and it was unbelievable that I was there when the second plane hit, as I was supposed to catch a train to the U.N. building in Manhattan."
Dorothy Prunhuber, Long Island, NY


"I was in my home in the Upper West Side, listening to the radio. I couldn't believe it when I heard, so I turned on the TV. I saw the second plane hit, and then saw everyone walking down the street in a big crowd because the trains were out."
Rodney Harrison, 48, Manhattan (Lower East Side), New York, NY


"I was at seminary school studying in Long Island. I was in class and we were told that the World Trade Center was hit, and then we watched the second plane hit the tower on the television. I remember distinctly how safe I felt at the seminary away from the city, and how sad. Soon after, we had a mass and prayed for all of the victims and their families."
Father Gilbert, 34, Brooklyn, NY

Photos © 2010 Brian Adams

New York, It's ON.

Photos © 2010 Brian Adams
Brian and I have been in Brooklyn, NY now for a full five days, and in that time, we've covered a lot of ground. Earlier in the week, I attended my first graduate classes, all of which were stimulating and exciting; I am doing something I've wanted to do for a while, and it feels good. I could not be more appreciative to have such loving support from such an amazing person--Brian, you are my rock.

In between applying for jobs, setting up appointments for next week, and enjoying time with old friends in our new city, we've tasted the new flavors of our local cafes, explored the beautiful Prospect Park that's just a block from our apartment, perused our local Farmer's market, and tried to stay cool in the very un-Alaskan summer heat. In all, it's been a good week, and although there are stresses and so much to be done, Brian and I know one thing for sure: New York, it's on.

Two Weeks, An Alaskan Wedding, A New York Apartment

© 2010 Brian Adams
Although we have no photos of the ceremony or reception yet, last week Brian and I were married, in a rose garden with yellow tulips surrounded by friends and family. It was an amazing day, and one that marks the official--legal--beginning to our life as a unit together.

One week after the wedding, we embarked on our first adventure as a married couple: we moved to New York City, where I have already begun my graduate studies in poetry at The New School.

After arriving in the big city after twelve hours of travel with our cat, Pearl, and two days of staying in a hotel while we waited to move into our Park Slope apartment, we are now in our new space, celebrating several successful weeks of big things and all the big things to come.

In one of my literature seminars this week, we discussed Gertrude Stein's innovative work and genius, and one of the things she said was, "If it can be done, why do it?" I like to think that this is how Brian and I always like to live our lives: gulping up the motion, love, and joy of it like there's no tomorrow.