Archive for 'NYC'
Dating In The City
Posted on 22. Jul, 2010 by Karri Wells.
From what I hear New York is a great place for singles. I wouldn’t know. I always seem to go against the grain when it comes to these things. When I lived back in Iowa I was dating, while most of my friends were married or engaged. Then, I moved to New York – now I’m the one in a relationship, while most of my friends are dating and single. Funny how that happens.
I enjoy hearing about the dating escapades of singles in the city. My friends have some pretty great stories – some are funny, others outrageous and several very sweet. Some of the dates turn into relationships while others remain memorable anecdotes. It’s no wonder that Sex & The City was so popular.
A friend recently told me about this guy Brian, who just moved from Wisconsin to New York. Brian is taking this online dating thing to a whole new level, he is crowd sourcing dates. His goal is to go on 30 dates in 30 days with 30 different women. (This has all the makings for a blockbuster romantic comedy). He is getting set up on these dates via his website, Dating Brian. If you or someone you know might be interested drop him a line. After each date, both Brian and his gal each give a recap of what they did and how they thought the date went. So far Brian has been on two dates – and I’m already hooked. I can’t wait to see what happens on the next 28. He seems like a really nice guy, and I’m hoping that this experiment goes well for him. Follow Brian’s 30 day quest
What has been your most interesting dating experience? What is the craziest thing you ever did to get a date?
Continue Reading
Country To City One Year Later
Posted on 15. Jul, 2010 by Karri Wells.
Today is my official one year anniversary with New York. A year ago I remember sitting on the porch swing at my old house going through a total Jessie Spano mess of emotions. I was so excited, I was so scared – and no I wasn’t on caffeine pills. I was looking forward to what this new adventure would bring, but also really anxious about leaving my friends, family, job and the friendly fields of Iowa. I’d never made such a drastic change before, and had no idea if I was going to sink or swim.
This has been a year of growth, an emotional puberty of sorts. I realized that a lot of the things I was scared about turned out to not be that scary at all. I’ve made some great friends, found a job I love, and for the first time ever have gained a sense of direction (I can now distinguish North from South, go me). I never thought I could be this comfortable here. I have a new tolerance for risk, and am no longer so freaked out by change.
In honor of my NewYorkVersary I thought I’d make a list of the things I love about NYC.
Things I Love About New York
Talking to Strangers
I’ve had some pretty interesting conversations with strangers. One night I was riding the subway home and a friendly Italian man started talking to me. As I stood to get off the train he handed me a brick of Parmigiano Reggiano and told me that he ‘really wanted me to have it’, like giving a stranger cheese was the most normal thing in the world.
Food!
The food here is amazing. If you want it you can find it, and it will probably be the best you’ve had.
Great Free Events
I can’t believe how many great free events there are around the city. I’ve seen some pretty amazing shows without paying a dime. This weekend I’m headed down to Coney Island to check out the 10th Annual Siren Music Festival.
Easy To Get Around
I no longer own a car, and to be honest I don’t really miss it. I enjoy walking around the city – it’s amazing that you can walk a few miles and not realize how far you’ve gone. I received a bike for my birthday, and that quickly has become my favorite mode of transportation (Thanks again Brian!). Plus, you can get almost anywhere you need to go for only $2.25 on the MTA day or night.
Culture
The culture here will never cease to impress me. In my neighborhood alone I can walk through areas that are heavily Latino, Polish and Italian all within a few blocks. The city is truly a melting pot.
Check out some of my favorite photos from the past year
Thank you again to my friends and family who’ve supported me this past year. I love you guys so much and I wouldn’t be here without you. I mean that literally – you are the ones who got my crap across the country, made me feel better when I was homesick, and let’s be honest mom and dad, if you hadn’t conceived me I REALLY wouldn’t be here. Ewww gross. . . . . anyway. . . .
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? How did it go?
Continue Reading
Man Gets Carried Across New York City
Posted on 29. Jan, 2010 by Karri Wells.
In an effort to prove the “friendly-ness” of New Yorkers Mark Malkoff asks strangers to literally carry him across the city. So the next time someone tells you New Yorkers aren’t nice, show them this video.
Thank you to my bud Asher who found this 
Continue Reading
The Puncture Wound and Other Developments
Posted on 28. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
Scene of the accident
This morning I was walking to work, cutting through McCarren Park, when suddenly I felt a sharp pain between my big toe and big toe’s buddy second toe. I look down to see that a rogue chopstick has stabbed the delicate skin between my toes. Of course I am wearing flip flops that are now stained with blood, which is ok, because I figure it gives me street cred. I should mention that said chopstick was randomly lying on the infield of a track. WTF, who eats Chinese food at a track? Not the first place I’d go to enjoy a pu pu platter.
In other news, I am now a huge mustard fan. Not that gross French’s mustard crap in the squeeze bottle, but the spicy brown kind.
Completely unrelated, you should listen to Knotty Pine – a bouncy little tune from David Byrne and the Dirty Projectors off the Dark Was the Night compilation. Loves it.
This blog post was brought to you by Urban Rustic‘s iced coffee, now with frozen coffee cubes! Weeeeehoooo!
Continue Reading
Totally Blogging About New York
Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
I arrived in New York Wednesday morning with three over stuffed suitcases drained and exhausted from the previous three days of packing and preparation. Everything I own has been given away, put into storage, or was crammed into those bags. If you live in Des Moines, right now would be a good time to visit the Salvation Army on Grand, there is some good stuff there.
I’ve been a New Yorker for two whole days now. The city is overwhelming. Everything is taller, faster, louder, add “er” to the end of any adjective and you are describing my new home.
Wednesday night we headed off to the Ziegfeld to see the new Harry Potter. It was a huge monstrous theater that was uber red velvety. I have never seen a theater so huge in my life. The audience was rowdy, there was a lot of clapping and laughing at things that weren’t funny.
Afterwards we enjoyed a delightful dinner of cheeseburgers and beer at “The Burger Joint” located in Le Parker Meridian hotel. Apparently it’s some famous burger spot. The walls are covered in sharpie scrawlings of the rich and famous.
Yesterday we walked down Bedford Avenue, and experienced real life hipsters in their natural habitat. Everything I’ve seen on “Look at this Fucking Hipster” is 100% authentic.
Last night we enjoyed a drink on the patio at The Bushwick Country Club. It’s a nice little dive that serves baskets of cheesy poufs complete with a mini golf course out back. When I say mini golf course I should clarify that there are only three holes, one of which features a windmill made of PBR cans.
I’m really enjoying it here. Everything is so new and exciting. I feel like a little kid at the state fair. Lots of people, bright lights, and things I want to eat.