Belle & the Brit
The early fall thunderstorm raged on, rain slipping down the red bricks of my building, sliding off the windows, pooling around my cheap patio furniture outside. What was I supposed to do? Thursday night and I knew that I had to get out of the apartment—I’d been cooped up all day with my computer and Indian takeout. My studio apartment smelled like curry and I looked like Eileen Wurnos (the Florida serial killer as played by Charlize Theron in “Monster”) in flannel pyjamas.
Someone to cheer me up… someone with a sharp wit and a love of wine…someone to be my partner in crime … Mimi!
Mimi (of Mimi New York blog fame) and I decided to finally meet face-to-face and go out for a few glasses of vino and a plate of antipasti. She’s a tough-as-nails broad from England and I’m a sugary sweet girl from the South—or so we thought on our respective taxi rides over to the restaurant. Once we’d had a glass of wine and discussed the New York media scene, men and rent below 14th Street, though, we laughed at how different we were in person than on our sites. Yes, some of the preconceived notions were true. But, who’d have known that Mimi speaks in such a soft, sweet tone that I had to lean into her glass of Pinot Grigio to hear her latest disastrous dating story? Or, that her big, blue eyes would gently encourage me to talk about my life when surely her travails as a stripper were much more interesting cocktail fodder?
Four hours later, and I couldn’t afford any more Sauvignon Blanc. I had to go home even if I wanted to tuck into another bar, order a dirty martini. But, I have a feeling we’ll be going out again. After all of our terrible evenings with Manhattan men, I think Mimi and I deserve some fabulous nights on the town—just us girls.
October 14th, 2005 at 11:57 am
Your blog is very interesting. I’m also writing a blog that’s sort of about my first year in NY (and sort of not) so it’ nice to see someone else’s viewpoint about it.
Happy writing!
October 14th, 2005 at 12:27 pm
And two simultaneous entries. I love that the 2 of you got together. Two sexy and sultry “foreigners” transplanted to New York. Telling it like it is. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall.
Keep up the good work ladies.
October 14th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
Thanks for the invite, I’d be delighted to join next time.
Best,
O
October 14th, 2005 at 3:04 pm
can u give me mimi’s blog address? i’d like to visit hers also…
October 14th, 2005 at 3:26 pm
This is my blog address!
http://www.miminewyork.blogspot.com
Belle you have to learn how to put links in child!
October 14th, 2005 at 4:56 pm
I agree with you that Mimi comes across as being tough, but I never had the impression that you were “sugary sweet”. I pegged you for being tough as well, just maybe in a different manner. You don’t use the same language in your writing that Mimi does (also enjoy her blog), but you make your points about people and situations all the same.
“I decided right then and there that Cheryl never could have made it down South. It took five seconds and a limp handshake to determine her potential status below the Mason-Dixon. With her enormous shoulder pads and miniscule ass, she looked like a scrawny, 2nd string high-school football player masquerading as the starting quarterback. She was tense, charmless, overbearing. We stepped into her dry-walled makeshift office studded with plaques, certificates and crystal obelisks; the trophies tried very hard to justify her 6-figure salary.”
(Loved that whole post, btw)
October 14th, 2005 at 5:18 pm
Funny . . . I would have thought Belle would have had the Pinot Grigio and Mimi the Suavignon Blanc.
October 14th, 2005 at 5:28 pm
Now there are two to love, Belle and Mimi. I have to find a way to stop this addiction.
October 14th, 2005 at 5:43 pm
My daughter lives near Wall Street, so the rents below 14th street are of interest to me.
October 14th, 2005 at 5:56 pm
and I figured mimi for a hell’s kitchen type of girl.
below 14th street is the place to be.
October 14th, 2005 at 6:59 pm
oh Belle, Belle, Belle. I too am a transplanted southerner who has sipped too often from the NYC still of dating stupidity.
October 14th, 2005 at 7:08 pm
How cool that you and Mimi met. Was she as expected and vice versa?
October 14th, 2005 at 7:50 pm
Very cool, it’s always fun meeting a fellow blogger. Like your blog title.
October 15th, 2005 at 7:58 am
Another southern gal here too! Are we taking over New York?
October 15th, 2005 at 11:21 am
I love it! I’m addicted.
October 15th, 2005 at 8:35 pm
Nice blog! Are you in need of fruitcake for the upcoming holiday season? Just check out these low price FRUITCAKES in the shape of Santa Clause, Jesus, the Buddha, or Mohammed! Three cakes gets you a free can of Cheez-Whiz to go!
October 16th, 2005 at 5:47 am
Hi there,
Your blog is very interesting. I’m ALSO WRITING A MFING BLOG AND MAYBE WE COULD blahbityy blah blah blah BLAHHHBHALBHHA.
and also BHALAHHAHHAHABLBLAHA
Happy Writing!
signed-blahbittyblah.
October 17th, 2005 at 3:49 pm
Oh I am jealous, I love both of your writing.
Have many more great nights out.
And if you are ever in London…
October 17th, 2005 at 3:50 pm
Fruitcake Paul. What the bloody hell?
October 17th, 2005 at 10:54 pm
Hmmm, great entry, but most importantly….Paul of fruitcake fame. I’m almost afraid to click on the link of his name!