Volleyballin Out
I’m laying in bed in my tiny Airbnb typing away listening to old Kpop.
I’m feeling great these days. I’ve fallen into a steady rhythm of work, volleyball, music, and seeing friends.
Things are far from perfect but I’m certain I’ll look back at this time as a peaceful, free time.
I must have stopped myself at least five times this week to marvel at the fact that I’m back in New York, living in the beautiful Upper West Side, able to see close friends every week.
why don’t more people like UWS? It’s so nice up here
Volleyball
I’m getting the most physical activity I’ve had in years. Started going to volleyball last week with the theory that I needed one artistic activity (music), one physical activity (volleyball), and one social/(spiritual) thing (church) to round out my life/meet new people.
We meet Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday at the courts in Riverside park. It’s a large group of randos (20-40 people) centered around a core group of regulars.
First time I went I was kinda nervous. I had a vague notion of wanting to play volleyball because of Haikyuu but the doubts lingered. Would I be athletic/tall/fast enough blah blah blah. Would I fit in.
People were pretty accommodating and those doubts, like usual, turned out to be dumb.
I was trash the first few games I played. After having gone almost every day last week I think I’ve gone from 4 —> 6 out of 10?
I’m getting the most sun I’ve had in years. Playing till dusk next to the Hudson watching the sun go down. Diving for the ball into the sand. Walking to the upper part of the park to doze off under the trees, exhausted from hours of playing. Getting aloe vera to slather on my sunburnt face. Wrapping my bleeding body (thumbs, random scratches, scraped knee) in bandaids. The thirty minute walks back and forth across Upper West Side. Looking at the beautiful buildings on the way listening to Korean city pop feeling simultaneously jealous and blessed to see them.
Pretty fun.
I think this was one of the best decisions I’ve made since coming back. Why didn’t I do something like this sooner?
Friends
Caught up with a number of friends that have either completely moved here or are visiting.
Rupert hosted a Baklava/Turkish Delight tasting party. This was the first time I’d seen him since the pandemic.
Met a bunch of his friends, ate a ton of Baklava.
Dinner with Peter at Soba Noodle Azuma. Also the first time seeing him since our Thailand/Korea trip Winter 2019.
Was sleep deprived but had fun
Watched Shang Chi at a company hosted event with Rupert. Afterwards Rupert snuck into the Saks Fifth fashion week show
Was also sleep deprived. Movie was gooood. Thought it was a little overhyped.
I admire that about Rupert. Always finding his way into hard places.
I want to get better at that. Get out of my comfort zone. Go to places I can’t normally get into.
Hung out with Kelvin and Will! The old trio back again. Got dinner at Kaoru
At Kelvin’s suggestion I went to New York Acupuncture and Chiropractic before dinner and had the best massage of my life (this was after hours of weekend volleyball).
Kaoru was pretty cool. Felt very japanese. Low tables. Buncha Japanese businessmen(?) drinking their heart outs after a long day of work.
Music
I’ve somewhat consistently (4 to 5 days a week) been getting ~an hour of music practice in each day. I’ve been going to Kaufman Music Center and booking piano rooms so I can sing my heart out without bothering the neighbors.
Still practicing for Japanese Denim. Michelle wants me to customize the song with my own phrasings, pitch, etc. to make it more “mine.”
Besides that I’ve been prepping for an open mic I’ve signed up for this Friday!
Between work, music, volleyball, and friends I feel like I’m running all over the place and it’s simultaneously exhausting and pretty fun. Would love to have my own place instead of this little fifth floor walkup Airbnb (appreciate u tho for real) but that’ll have to wait.
I talked to Harry the other day and it seems like we’re both in really great places. Back in the city, everything building up to a crescendo. Finding new places, new friends, new activities. Not a care in the world. What a great time to be alive.
On the not so great side my sleep schedule and dating life could use some work but I ain’t complaining.
Also my diet is all over the place. I’m usually too lazy to cook or get anything so I usually skip lunch and eat a bigger dinner later. I’ve inadvertently started losing weight because of this (and the exercise) which is great. But I also wanna cut down on the edibles/eating junk food.