Closing update – no movement of any real value. The lender’s inspector finally arrived to record any property damage from hurricane (tropical storm) Irene. Irene was a factor in my life but little to do with the house. Her time here marked an interesting exchange of emotions and opportunity. As fast as she arrived, she departed taking a piece of me with her. I will remember her the same as I did for the blackout of ‘77 or the blizzard of ’78; reminiscing while hearing the soundtrack of chaos “where were your when the lights went out in NYC”
“The longest absence is less perilous to love than the terrible trials of incessant proximity. “
~ Edna St. Vincent Millay
Proximity - my stay in The Bronx challenged my understanding of the term and offered me the opportunity to reflect on the role proximity has and will play in my immediate and long term plans.What is the significance of the distance we need to travel to be close to home, to work, to cultural institutions, to entertainment, to the people we care about and those we love? How does this distance affect our happiness, productivity, cultural connection and sense of community?
When you are residing in the shadows of the Throgs Neck Bridge, away from all that you know, save your wonderful host, proximity is the closest thing you consider when making decisions to engage in activities or not. And while my stay here was abbreviated, the distance from my own comfort zone was not.
Don't get me wrong; my Bronx living arrangement was as unique as the others. I have gravitated towards homeFREE agreements where vacationing residents were preferred for the comfort of existing in a space that affords me freedom from oversight, input or clothes for that matter. So rather than vacationing, my good friend Denise simply vacated! Her retreat was a mere 15ft above the leased space. She packed up and moved upstairs to accommodate her new guest. Her gesture however was not free from stipulation. I fully support stipulations and have grown to deeply appreciate them by asking for the "house rules" and “what can I do while I am here”. This stipulation; the sweet presentation of a "honey-do" list, delivered with a big cheeky smile. My clever friend found a way to serve our collective interests, thank you Sista!
I met Denise (Sista) my freshman year while surveying for potential partnerships of the romantic kind. My search led me through the dorms of Bennett College. A private HBCU women's college in Greensboro, NC. Denise and crew offered no entry beyond the waiting area of the dorms but did offer an immediate connection to a friendship and covert access to Belles. Her Harlem demeanor was welcoming in the midst of my newfound Narolina friends.
Denise continues to be my pusher by being the first to alert me of NYC activities in the world of literacy, arts, education and entertainment. Often starting the conversation with, "hey Troy have you...", and most times I haven't. We all have friends like this, the ones that never miss a birthday by marking this annual event with a mailed birthday card. Since college, she has never missed honoring me in this manner, save this year. "Hey Troy, where do I send your card?" "Wow, you don't; homeFREE. Right!" Facebook?" "Facebook!"
Proximity often refers to only the distance between places, however it is the nearness to a place, time, order, occurrence or relation. So it is very possible to be in close proximity within a given relationship but far in the physical distance. Denise and I have proven this fact over our 25+ year friendship. As I reflect on my homeFREE journey and struggle with the lost of proximity to home, work, play and people, I am reminded that it is my proximity to relationships that have been reexamined, redefined and renewed.
I will openly admit that there is some fear concerning the role proximity will play in my life moving forward. The fear isn't strong enough to halt, rather pause for purposeful pondering and planning. fishaGARDEN was a success in part because of its location. The Fort Greene location, just one neighborhood west of downtown Brooklyn where nearly 14 trains converge, offered great access for guest. Contrast fishaBLU, that will be located just two blocks from the beach and one block from the Beach 67th subway station; there is only one train that makes its way there. Some will not travel.
Proximity often refers to only the distance between places, however it is the nearness to a place, time, order, occurrence or relation. So it is very possible to be in close proximity within a given relationship but far in the physical distance. Denise and I have proven this fact over our 25+ year friendship. As I reflect on my homeFREE journey and struggle with the lost of proximity to home, work, play and people, I am reminded that it is my proximity to relationships that have been reexamined, redefined and renewed.
I will openly admit that there is some fear concerning the role proximity will play in my life moving forward. The fear isn't strong enough to halt, rather pause for purposeful pondering and planning. fishaGARDEN was a success in part because of its location. The Fort Greene location, just one neighborhood west of downtown Brooklyn where nearly 14 trains converge, offered great access for guest. Contrast fishaBLU, that will be located just two blocks from the beach and one block from the Beach 67th subway station; there is only one train that makes its way there. Some will not travel.
For my entire professional life I have lived close to where I’ve worked. Distances as close as a home consulting office and as far as my 22 min commute to NYCDOE headquarters. I established technology offices less than 176 yards from my bed, assume office space less than 1.5 miles from District 13 headquarters and clocked in less than 7 blocks to the place where I taught sequential-1 mathematics and photography. Contrast all with my soon-to-be 55 minute commute from the Rockaways and I am fearing the commute. Not to mention the uncertain where Medium will attend middle school and what his commute will be like.
I am a fan of culinary arts, roving from Brooklyn to Harlem via Fort Greene, Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, LES, West Village, SoHo, Mid-Town, UWS, UES and everything in between. Fort Greene offered lots of options to local and international fair; proximity to the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Billy-B bridges offered quick access to neighborhoods where I could find all that one could imagine. The Rockaways are a food desert, save Rockaway Taco and a handful of others.
Proximity to friends, work and entertainment will change. My lifestyle will change. Not sure of all that I will learn via this homeFREE journey, but I am sure that there will many changes.
