Happily I Drowned

_{New York looming from the roof deck of The Gem Hotel in Chelsea. (D. Hixon - Photo)}

Don't worry my friends, I'm not wearing any pinstripes. Nor have I been converted over to the Dark Side by some drunken backroom promises that were filled with greed and fear - I'm just enamored by the unique buzz that a night in New York City can provide. I'm now on the Acela speeding back to my cherished city of Boston, but the trip home is always filled with a tinge of loss. I was in the City because on brief business, and was able to meet up with my good friend Josh for some drinks, and of course, the Sox.

We went to  Professor Thom's to watch the game, and it was a total trip being there. The instant I walked in all I could hear was the soothing voice of Don Orsillo bouncing about the dimly lit air as I became awash in a wave of surreal. The wall's were adorned with Boston sports paraphernalia, and most people belly up to the bar were donning Boston gear. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was in a bar on Landsdowne, and instantly I was mooning about the place with a dumb grin on my face while soaking it all in. 

With each Red Sox hit the patrons cheered as if it were a playoff game, and the barkeep rang a bell whenever the Sox crossed the plate. I was lucky enough to meet a fellow Red Sox blogger on his home turf in John Quinn. John's the Lieutenant Governor of Red Sox Nation in New York, and it just so happened to be his trivia night at Professor Thom's. So Josh and I jumped right in, and were joined by the talented and hilarious Kelly and Lindsey - who have a comedy show at Thom's this Friday night, which you should certainly go to if in the City. The Sox ended up losing the game, and we didn't win at trivia either, but we definitely won on the night, as Thom's played the perfect backdrop to my brief New York adventure.

As I stumbled into my cab I fell in love with New York City and all that it can stand for. Professor Thom's is a perfect example of what makes that town so great. No matter what your interests are, where you're from, or what your nationality is - there's something for you in New York. And it won't just be there, but it'll also be authentic and a perfect taste of wherever you're from. They city really does have it all. For some people it's the food that brings them back, but for me - it's the Sox, and having the safety net of home juxtaposed against the randomness of New York does anything but bring me down. I may hate the Yankees, but Goddamn, I sure do love New York.

New York, I love You but you're bringing me down
Like a death of the heart...Jesus, where do I start
But you're still the one pool where I'd happily drown
- LCD Soundsystem

Comments

[John Quinn]

Thanks for the shout-out, Derek. Glad you enjoyed my hometown. I have a bumper sticker that sums it up best:

"I Love New York. It's Just the Yankees I Hate."

[Derek Hixon]

Thanks again for having me John - you run that trivia game with authority, the whole bar was loving it, real fun time.