Looking for New York: retail

Ahoy,

One of the things in NY that has become far, far too easy to access is shops. I'm sure you can hear the sobs of my quickly shrinking bank account. I can feel its desperate grips and pleas of mercy to spend another day sitting idle. But, my goodness, NY makes it so temptatiously easy! For most of my life I'd always regarded shopping as an activity I had to plan for. My friends or family and I would make a day of it. The logistics of the activity were such that it would take a certain amount of time to get to the shopping, and after spent that effort - it would only make sense to commence with the shopping. This was mostly due to the fact that there was only shopping there or eating or the rest of the party would not relent to other activities like a museum, etc.

But in NY, this is not the case. Far be it for me to make any effort before I stumble into another shop. I never had to go to any shopping, it's as if they all came to me. The clothes, the shoes, the accessories, the tax free retail all at my fingertips. There was always I store I could step into on my way to a meeting, on my way running an errand, on my way to the office. It was always just a few minutes to peek at the new line just released this week, at the dress I wanted to see if it was marked down yet, at what shoes my wardrobe was missing.

For some reason, there was always a sale and tax free made it even more sinful. Many will expunge of the burden of living in such an expensive city, but I have never made such an inexpensive wardrobe as I did in NY. Nor have I made as many purchases as frequently in such a limited period of time.

creditingly closeted,
jt

Looking for Chicago: Red Eye

Ahoy,

I remember when the Chicago Tribune first debuted their baby newspaper - the Red Eye. This was their last ditch effort to get youngsters to read a print newspaper. So this was a free publication that had shorter snippets of news, and celebrity gossip to keep young people interested. There were more pictures, shorter articles, less substantial news. I tried to grab one everyday, and I still try whenever I go home. Now I am mostly interested in it for the crossword puzzles.

It was one of the more difficult things about home that I would miss. Much to my delight, I discovered New York had copied Chicago's idea. They made a newspaper - the amNY - that is just like the RedEye. Much to my delight, the crossword editor was even the same person. But, alas, I've been unable to find anything similar in Los Angeles. As outdated as printed newspapers are, I still think they are a great thing to have. News may come faster on the internet, but there's nothing like unfolding a newspaper over breakfast or on the train. The simple fact that it has a larger surface area makes it more difficult for strangers to harass me.

monochromatically crinkled,
jt