Productivity

Because I'm obsessed with the title of this post, I've decided my next book (to read) should be something pedagogical. So I'm reading The Omnivore's Dilemma to learn more about food in the U.S. (or as the author refers to it: America). I've been interested for a long time in where it comes from, what is better for me, what is better for the environment, organic or local -- does it matter?, and other related things so this should be a good start.

However, it's not quite as motivating for reading as good fiction, so I've decided that I get to read something fun next.

My New Best Friend

I'm not sure what was wrong with me for so long, but I just discovered that books are my new best friend. Or maybe a long lost old friend. Either way it feels new and I love it.

Currently reading: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Privacy in NYC

Don't worry, it's actually an oxymoron.

I've been pondering the idea of privacy in this city lately as I find myself in an odd position -- or at least it's odd if you live anywhere else. I currently live in a one bedroom apartment with another young woman who is about my age. My room is separated from the living room by 4 enormous red canvas curtains that start about 1 foot from the ceiling -- so I am acutely aware of the problem. But from the conversations I hear other people having, I'm not the only one with issues.

Cell phone conversations and things overheard in restaurants range from what you ate last night, to how bad your feet smell, to who you had sex with last week, to how you're feeling about your relationship with your inner child. It's sort of amazing.

Additionally, there seems to be a lot of exposure of private parts.

There was one week probably in late spring when I saw no less than three penises in broad daylight on the sidewalk. Well the penises themselves weren't on the sidewalk. Rather, I was walking along the street minding my own business when what to my wondering eyes did appear but male genitalia shown without fear.

It has also come to my attention that functions that are normally private events (like urination and defecation, as my previous paragraph alluded to) are more frequently done in public here. Nose picking is huge -- maybe because the polluted air causes more build up in the nasal cavity. Just the other day, I saw a man go two knuckles deep to remove what must have been an atomic wedgie. A couple of nights ago, I saw someone who was at least dressed as a woman, wearing naught but a lacy thong and a ridiculously transparent tube of red fabric.

And to my chagrin, and potentially to the chagrin of many others, it seems that young men in this city have a habit of needing to have their hands down their pants. Now I can understand if it's cold out and you're standing on a Frisbee field and that's the warmest place on your body. However, this is New York City in the summer. It's already hot. You don't need to keep your extremities from getting frost bite. In fact, down your pants is probably the swampiest, least comfortable place to be.

I don't know if it's a lack of privacy that causes them to do this or a general numbness to the fact that when you're standing on a subway platform you actually are not surrounded by your own personal, private bubble, but when a young man stands for over 10 minutes waiting for a train with his hand down his pants, you have to think he's doing something more than separating his sweaty balls from his leg.