NYC fo ME

Recently my association with The People's Shoe took me to NYC to conduct some business. It had been nearly two years since I had last been to New York City and this was only my third time ever in this notorious metropolis. I hopped on the subway near my house in Los Feliz (yes, LA has a subway system!!!) and scurried up to Burbank Airport. In just over 5 hours I was approaching JFK from the expansive Atlantic Ocean and looking at the skyline from my window. That's when it hit me. The energy of New York City radiates. It's real and it's tangible. But, what is it? Where does this energy come from?

With thoughts like this running through my mind I arrived at Bjorn's apartment in the lower east side on Ludlow Street. Anton (boy wonder behind TPS) picked me up off the street and into Bjorn's humble (but special) chinatown apartment. With little time to spare before we were due at the MGMT show at Webster Hall, I began to share spirits of all varieties with Bjorn (older brother of Anton), Anton, Ginta, Rachel and friends. The sense that anything could happen tonite overwhelmed me.

The evening was late and full of glowing memories and suddenly it blurred into daylight and it was time to work.
This was my first time to NYC for business and it was a different trip. When you get up with an agenda and places to be in New York it is an adventure. You're head clears the clouds from the night before , coffee in hand and cold crisp air in your face it suddenly hit me. I was experiencing something different this time because of this thing called The People's Shoe.

Sure I have been to New York before, hustled around with one local after another and doing tourist type things while they went to work for the day. Now, I was zooming around town, walking very fast to catch the next train uptown, make it back to Nolita for lunch, back to the east village for drinks and an interview. Back to Bjorns by 9 for spirits, swapping battle stories and great food, sitting around the piano while a friend pours his talent out on the keys. Each person you talk to is more fascinating and genuine and sincere and interested than the next. That's when i understood.

The energy that pulsates through New York is the community. It's the people. It's the beautiful towering buildings, the secret pubs wtih the knowing veteran bar keep, the gyro wagon with an omniscient vendor, the beautiful model crossing the street in the village allowing you to almost walk in front of a bus......the city is so dynamic, so fast, so awesome that the friends become more than friends. They become a support network, a family , a community, a city. And they are so willing to have me be a part of it even if only for a few days. It is flattering.

A camaraderie for a fellow west coaster that is living , breathing and being on this magic island in the east. A feeling that has me yearning for a cold New York Night with good drinks, good music and better friends as I prepare to get in my Van to drive by myself across LA traffic in 85 degree late November weather.

Mark W
The People's Shoe