Yoga and cities... yes indeed, it is a happy post.

[flexagon]

I had a good yoga class today. I think I succeeded in doing high crane -- if I did, it was the first time ever. It was all very zenlike since I had no particular hope of success as I went into it (I always try...), but felt no particular surprise at being in the pose until the teacher looked over and said "Hey flexy, that looks great!" Then I realized that perhaps I was in high crane. And fell over. :)

We also did a very cool thing with a strap in which we tried to bring one foot up behind us and to our hands, theoretically in preparation for king pigeon pose, which is pose of the month. We just did this balancing on one foot, rather than on the floor like the picture shows. Couldn't do it, but I sure loved trying. I really haven't worked on backbends lately since I've been so focused on other things (inversions, which are more fun, and hip openers, which are more frustrating).

Earlier today I expressed my intention to never move to NYC, since (as I said) I would never be able to move out again. Those I was talking to didn't understand this reasoning, but I didn't express it very well... really, it comes back to hedonic adaptation. I would get used to New York, and losing the feeling it gives me right now would be heartbreaking. Plus, I would be disappointed with the rest of the world forever. Perhaps it's just fear that the infatuation wouldn't deepen into true love, or maybe (speaking of true love) I just don't want to leave Boston. But either way, I think there could be an essay in this topic, if I ever feel like writing such a thing. And if I do I'll start with this quote by Cavafy:

You will find no new lands, you will find no other seas. 
The city will follow you. You will roam the same 
streets. And you will age in the same neighbourhoods; 
and you will grow grey in these same houses. 
Always you will arrive in this city. Do not hope for any other...

It's a depressing quote, but only in context. Out of context I find it rather comforting, and I hope that it's true.

Comments

my only question is, why?

[jg26.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'm just not remembering properly. I don't mean to rain on a happy post, rather, I just want to know. Perhaps you could expound upon your draw to NY.

I know that I'm in the minority on this one... but I was happy to get out of the shadow of NY. I used to work there summers during college. Everyone always holds it up as the pinnacle of success to move there. I don't even like visiting it.

Re: my only question is, why?

[flexagon]

Er... well, in part, it's innate, which makes me a bad person to answer this question. I'm highly irrational about cities. My mother claims she knew I was a city girl even when I was little. How about you... why do you like sex? Why do you like food?

Here are some of the easier to explain reasons I like cities, in no particular order.
* The anonymity is nice. It's good to go out on the street and not be surrounded by people who know me and are watching me.
* City courtesy is also more to my taste than small-town in-your-face friendliness. (This may apply more to eastern cities)
* Urban areas tend to be more socially liberal.
* Density. You can walk to more places, see more neat things side-by-side,and in the really good cities you can even get by without a car.
* Convenience. This is related to density.
* Palpable feeling of energy... cities don't sleep. This gives me energy when I feel energetic and gives me permission to rest when I don't. I can hear and see all around me that the world isn't ending if I'm not productive.
* Much better selection of restaurants and bookstores, usually. And museums and concerts and all that culture-y stuff.
* Inspiration. Just looking around and seeing all the amazing things that people have built.
* It's much more okay to be a little weird in the city. There's a much wider variety of people (again, usually) so there's a much broader band of what constitutes normal and acceptable.
* I think they are beautiful, and they are always changing so there's always something to watch. And there's always more to explore, even if you know a place intimately.

Having said all that, NYC is the city of cities, at least as far as North America goes. I admit it scares me a little. There is some crime, of course, and if I lived there I probably couldn't have such a nice apartment, because I couldn't afford one. But the same things could be said about Boston, compared to where I'm from, and I've never looked back, so I could probably adjust. :)

It's good to remember that there is an alternate point of view.

Re: my only question is, why?

[jg26.livejournal.com]

I think I see the difference. For me, a little bit of city is good. I even think boston is a little big for my tastes. I think what I like most about boston is that it's right next to cambridge, which is a place I identify with much more.

Again, like I've said, I think that it is a common belief that NY (or LA) is the most desired location. I'm just an oddball... or as bluechromis would say, I'm deliberately contrary.

Re: my only question is, why?

[flexagon]

Ha, that's all very funny. To me LA has never sounded that great, but I'd rather live in Boston than Cambridge. We should switch, just as soon as they extend the Red Line over there. :)