As

As I sit looking at the Manhattan skyline, the lights blend into one blurry shimmering mass of colors. It looks like a mix of some kind, but isn't that what Manhattan is, a mix? A mix of people, culture, and ideas. A massive think tank; a melting pot of lives and interests.

As I sit here letting the four train rock me to sleep with it's constant motion, I'm reminded of the constant motion of the city. The city that never sleeps, constantly creating new trends and vetoing others. Deciding what's cool and what's not.Catching the train is only half the battle staying on is the other half.To stay in style, in the mix.

As I sit in a cacophony of music and theme. Going from the Puerto Rican day parade, June Balloon , to the Chinese New Year in Chinatown. Surrounded by diversity and uniqueness, learning, sharing and expanding with your ideas. " Tell me" instead of "listen to me" . Receiving instead of demanding.

As I sit looking at the side of buildings on Mad. Ave, they reach up into the stratosphere, and we'll never see the roofs. The expensive looking stores on the street with the expensive looking trinkets on the inside, that you could get anywhere else for $2.00 less.

As I sit looking out of a window that is 75 stories above the ground looking at the ant like figures moving below. A swirling of blue, brown and grey suits and skirts with the occasional Snoopy and Charlie Brown tie. The sudden flash of an overexcited toursit trying to take a picture of a building when all they'll get is a red blob of glass reflecting the sun.

As I sit visions of street vendors, $0.25 peep shows, and homeless people in the subways, I see the duality of New York. The tourist attractions and the vivacious, sometimes dangerous night life. I dream of a day when I can hang out in the The Tunnel and catch glimpses of celebrities in the strobe light walking to theVIP rooms with all types of illegal vices; talk in Barnes&Nobles 'till 1:00 a.m. discussing social contracts and philosophy with someone named Napolean--real estate lawyer by day, Beatnick by night.

As I sit in front of my computer contemplating the allures of New York doing homework from 3:00pm until 11:00pm and then signing on AOL and talking with vampires from Connecticut and Massachsettes. Chatting with a 21 year old wife and mother of two, told to a rapt 15 yr old believing every word. Glancing again to the lights blending into one shimmering mass of colors, I realize that this melting pot of action is my home.

Dedicated to my mother Pansy Walker this

Sunday May 10, 1998