Last Saturday Greenacre Park was closed for waterfall maintenance which meant that I was free to attend Groundskeeper Charles' BBQ down in Alphabet City. Timon was at work (yes! Timon is back at work at Jack's Coffee Front Street location) so I met up with Scott on East Houston and we walked along to Avenue C. The weather was scorching but luckily Charles' backyard is basically a cement alley behind the apartment block and was shielded from the sun. When we arrived Durell was manning the BBQ and the table was spread with an epic array of grilled goods. There was BBQ chicken, jerked chicken, hotdogs, hamburgers, ribs, italian sausages, mac&cheese, coleslaw and a grand deep fried whole turkey. It was a real family affair with visiting rellies from South Carolina, kids, cousins, babies, partners and one white guy from the apartment building. We tucked into plates of chicken and sides (I opted to avoid the ribs and resulting sauce-face) and drank our way through various ciders and beers. I was shown the neighbouring park (which Charles' also owns) by a granddaughter/niece and she showed me turtles and goldfish swimming in the pond.
John (co-worker) and his girlfriend Sasha arrived and I chewed her ear off about her cool job. I've noticed my interest in other people's careers has heightened dramatically since being in New York. More than ever I've realised the importance of making connections with people, networking if you will, and discovering how and why they do what they do. It sounds a little use-y but it seems to be the only way to get anywhere in this city. My interest was peaked when I found out Sasha works as a production coordinator on film shots. She runs the necessary office related matters that enable the shoot to run smoothly. Basically she's immersed in two of my favourite things - film and admin! We talked about this for ages, about our own career crises and hopes for the future. She's ready to move on and try something new and I'm ready to jump feet first into her career! Who knew what you discover when you just talk to people.
The sun went down and the music went up and the dancing came out. Timon finished up at work and joined us for the last few scraps of deep fried turkey (#3) and a couple of beers. Charles' wife came around and read our palms, deciphering the lines and forming marriage prophesies left, right and centre. She dragged Scott onto the makehift dance floor and they shimmied through an aisle of spectators. I laughed, hard. At 10pm the festivities were ended abruptly as Charles is not only a resident of the building, but is a responsible owner and landlord. The air was still muggy and thick with BBQ and Scott, John, Sasha, Timon and I stumbled through the East Village and found our respective ways home. Timon and I chose to walk across town, watching the crowds of drunkards gathered outside various bars. It took a good hour and half to walk then catch 2 trains but after all I'd eaten the exercise was welcome.
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