This Is Now.
So what is different? What has really changed in the two years since I checked my email at a cheap Times Square café, temped for a real estate company high above 42nd Street, made pilgrimages to “Virgil’s Barbecue” for one satisfying taste of home?
Not much. And that’s why I can still taste the fear of the ordinary, feel the numb desk legs from too much time doing spreadsheets, answering phones, filing inane memos, remember the humiliation of taking sandwich and coffee orders from the pasty, pot-bellied executives that got loaded on summer Fridays. My modified job description after their 4 martini excursions to “check out a new property?” A patient, naïve, smiling, $20-an-hour psychiatrist forced to nod and sympathize with their plights as over-paid, over-fed (on the company credit card, of course) suits with dissatisfied wives and needy, materialistic girlfriends. Was it really my job to advise George and Frank about the “It Purse” of the season for their new lover?
Wake up, Dixie Dorothy! You’re not in Oz anymore!
That’s fine. That was my education. That was my world tour. It was as if I were backpacking around the globe with the rest of my college friends, learning about myself, my limits, my place in the world, a notebook tucked away in my back pocket. From south of Houston to 42nd Street, I feel like I’ve crossed the river, breached the gates and come to a place that often feels like hell but sometimes—on the really good days—transcends it all… a little bit like heaven and Oz.
July 13th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Thanks a lot for pulling back the curtain Dorothy.
Might as well poke my eyes out with a pencil. But first, a cigar.
July 13th, 2006 at 11:35 am
I’ve been reading your blog since I saw an article about you in the Pensacola News Journal (I recently moved from there to ND). You are an exceptionally talented writer, and I so enjoy your perspectives on life, living in the city & the South (I once started a blog as a Northern girl transplanted to NW Florida–but my life & kids prevailed, and all my compositions remain in my head for future use…someday). Now as I am pushing 40, I am reminded of the self-discovery of my 20s and the wonderful journey it was. You seem very aware of this journey, and embrace all its nuances (which, of course, shows a maturity beyond your 26 years). Best of luck (and I know it’s more than luck involved here) with your life, Jamie & your book!
July 13th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
On today’s post you so casually mention your job paid $20 an hour, alluding that’s a crappy, bottom-of-the-barrel wage. Do you realize MANY PEOPLE would be perfectly happy to make that much? With that reference you’ve just put down an immense amount of people, most of whom don’t get kickbacks from gran’daddy or such.
July 13th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
Whoa. Someone doesn’t understand the theory of relative dollars.
In New York, Ms. Malloy, making $20/hr is tantamount to being below the poverty line. I should know. I made less than that as a commis.
Turn down the sensitive meter for heaven’s sake.
July 13th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
ugh. i kind of hate you.
July 13th, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Nothing you write is interesting, uncommon or techically well done.
You have not pulled back a curtain. The Oz analagy does not work when “exposing” your experience in the city. You only continue to expose yourself as the most self-absorbed “girl” with the most bland writing style in New York City. Ugh!
July 13th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Apparently, sarcasm does not translate into the blog-o-verse.
July 13th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Of course it does!
July 13th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Easy, quick solution to all the haters: go elsewhere! Apparently *something* gave you the inclination to stay those extra few minutes and attempt a witty insult. If you really hated it so much, why would you bother?
July 13th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Mean people suck.
July 13th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
i am always perplexed by the people that spend extra time on websites they hate, talking to the writers they loathe, posting comments on blogs that are supposedly sub-par… why waste your time?
July 13th, 2006 at 9:17 pm
No offense, but Dr. Sarah’s writing is better. Maybe she should get the book deal!!!
Re: being mean. Come on y’all, this is New York City. No pussy-footin around here!!!
July 14th, 2006 at 10:23 am
That sounds a lot like a great ending to your novel, n’est pas?
July 14th, 2006 at 3:15 pm
It’s spelled “analogy,” if you’re interested in technical merit, Sarah Lisa.
Wow, your bitchery has rubbed off enough to make me correct someone’s spelling. That’s some potent stuff, girl!
July 14th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
No, I actually welcome comments and/or criticism. I *love* the fact that you are that much on the ball! Look, folks, blogs are, by their very existence, an invitation to the rest of the world to comment on what one writes. Why should “Belle” take it so personally when other well-read internet participants take notice that she writes in COMPLETE cliches, and not even sophisticated ones at that? I mean, “The Great Gatsby?” The “Eggs?” Surely you’ve read past the 10th grade summer list, haven’t you?
Broady, I humbly accept your spelling correction. True I won the spelling bee in 2nd grade, but I’ve been faithful to the dictionary since then. I’ll try not to respond anymore, since everyone out there has such thin skin. But please, keep in mind, I am NOT a writer by trade. I feel that those who are trying to pass themselves off as “writers” might as well get used to criticsm early on. It’s a tough world out there. In all honesty, Dorothy Parker would chew “Belle” up and deposit her out on the dirty New York sidewalk. “Belle’s” “writing” is kaka.
July 14th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Um, okay. Saucer of milk, table two? Girls, girls. Can’t we all just get along? (p.s. nice reply on her site Belle! Sorry Sarah Lisa–I’m a tad biased!)
In the interest of humor & all this fun bantering back and forth, just came upon this oh so appropriate article:
http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/andrew_brown/2006/07/why_are_people_arseholes_onlin.html
Enjoy!
xoxo, L
July 14th, 2006 at 5:20 pm
Okay, let’s try that one more time:
http://commentisfree.guardi
an.co.uk/andrew_brown/2006/
07/why_are_people_arseholes
_onlin.html
July 14th, 2006 at 6:09 pm
very appropriate article, Leigh!
. (Did I mention that I am NOT a writer!!:-)) But I have yet to publish pages and pages of “Dear Diary, today I am going to the Hamptons where I will pretend that I am Daisy Buchannan” and try to pass it off as entertaining!
Look, y’all.. I am only trying to help “Belle” out! Sure, last September I posted a poorly-crafted paragraph about my injured puppy
Leigh - again, I tell you that that was a good article to read. I am sincerely done here. I’m going to find a proper New York City blogspot where folks are candid, smart (but mediocre spellers), funny, caring AND daring, and who can CHOOSE a specific tone in which to write because this “I can talk about vibrators” over a “glass of white” but “good lord don’t criticize me because I am PERFECT” is an embarrassing arena in which to participate. Now, I’ll go to … church … or something.
July 14th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Nice article Leigh. Although I have to admit, I am, for whatever reason, more than partial to that dazzling hero of political incorrectness that is Jeremy Clarkson. There’s just something about a man who can race across Europe in super gear….beating planes, trains and other automobiles.
But I digress….
July 14th, 2006 at 7:20 pm
who wants to chip in and buy “sarah lisa” a box of ‘franzia’ and a proper battery-operated toy?
someone needs a life (not including your canine).
July 15th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Wow, sorry I missed this, NOT. Hopefully it’s moved on elsewhere….Love your writing Belle!!!
July 17th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Hmmm, why do you assume that anyone who doesn’t like your writing drinks cheap wine (Franzia? Terrible!) and needs a dildo? Can you not handle any criticism? If not, then why blog? What will you do about critics when your book comes out?
July 17th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
Sarah: THANK YOU! I honestly did not even know what Franzia is!!! I can picture it now, though… it comes in a box! I see it at the grocery store!!!? That is sooooo funny. Aw, in addition to being a great writer, “Belle” is clearly top-notch in all her interests… No motor toys for me, thanks. On Friday I leave for Mexico with my gorgeous European boyfriend!!! I hereby brand “Belle” the Brittany Spears of storytelling!!!
July 17th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
I have to admit, this tit for tat has become quite amusing, if not engaging. Belle couldn’t write anything this droll.
Mexico is so gauche during the summer…
July 17th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Penury: you are gauche.
I surf in Puerto Escondido often.
:-)
If figures you would be a fan of Belle’s.
July 17th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
you and your “gorgeous european boyfriend” traveling to mexico in the low (a.ka. discount) season? would this european happen to be your german shepherd dog?
how sweet.
July 17th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Y’all: this is absolutely hilarious. I am sorry, “BELLE,” that you cannot take criticism.
Perhaps you should just try another career path. Wait… wait a minute. Brittany Spears has made a TON of money off her “craft,” too. So, the jokes on me, I guess. Keep up the fine writing, “Belle!”
July 18th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Belle, just curious as to what are you implying by mentioning that someone is going to Mexico (or anywhere) during low season? Is there a problem with this? Sometimes low season is nice because all the tourists are gone (one of my favorite memories is of Siena in late November, cold but not a tourist in sight or sound)
Not meant to be sniping, seriously just wondering…