I've been in New York for a couple of months - doing some computer work. And
practicing guitar and working on my next CD. I am driving right now - in a
car I rented for a week. Time is so short and distances are so long that I
had to practice guitar while driving. Now I can drive long distances while
playing guitar with both hands, steering with a leg - using cruize-control.
I can even change lanes and drive on George Washington Bridge while playing
the guitar! Rush-hour traffic - it don't matter - rain - no problem - can play chords and sing -
and can play classical such as the Grand Overture. I know it's dangerous but it is not more
dangerous than talking on the cell phone while driving which I hope becomes illegal in the US.

Finding a place to live has been quite a challenge. It took
a lot of time and energy - and it turned out that the first place I saw was
the one that I ended up getting. It was advertized on Yahoo as "musicians
preferred". I have a big room in a house. 3 other people live there who have
their own rooms. The main guy is a professional Jazz drummer/teacher - the
other guy is an actor/guitarist - and the 3rd is a Spanish girl new to the US. The
girl who's moving out is the Japanese girlfriend of the drummer who's a pianist. It's a
smoke-free, clean environment. Housing is so ridiculous here - a one bedroom apartment in New York can cost
$3000. People are renting their living room for premium prices! Most of the
Indians who are here as software engineer live in camp-conditions : 5 people
in 2 rooms. I've met so many interesting people while looking for a place. A guy, Frank, whom I met yesterday, wanted to rent a room that he had to walk through to get to his living room - in a basement of a house with really low ceiling. He's a waiter, also sells cars, is an artist, and has taken a test to become an undercover drug agent. He insisted
on taking me for a test drive of his Honda that he'd put an Acura engine
and a big muffler in it - I drove it - loud like a race car with a small
steering wheel which gives you premium control. Then he drove it with the
excuse of wanting to park it – and raced like mad. A make-it-happen kind of guy - he can get insurance for cheap, and referred me to a Russian hairdresser next door who did a nice job for $6 + a surprise $2 for wash and $2 for tip.

Do I like being in America? It's not a matter of like and dislike - It was a
choice-less matter - but no matter what, I can not feel apart of the
4-wheel-cultured and its implications on the human psyche as it is so evident
here. The most important thing is to have enough time to play the guitar -
and I do: The other day, after struggle, and freeway and traffic and various
stresses of modern life, took the guitar out in the car - and even one chord -
even one note - was so soothing, beautiful, therapeutic!

It is so much easier to not have a car. Now I am entering Holland Tunnel
between NY and NJ - my place is in New Jersey - 20 minutes outside heart of
New York. The only good thing about driving is the chance to listen to good
classical music on the radio. Luckily in NY the public transport is
excellent - still not as good as Europe - but you can easily get by without
a car.

Went to my future home and paid the deposit and dropped off a dresser my
friend with whom I've been staying gave. They're also giving me a king-size
bed. Going back asked a car for the freeway - and an Indian restaurant. He
said: Newark avenue is an all-Indian street. Happily made the left turn and
a saw: "DOSAEXPRESS - South Indian Vegetarian Fast Food". A parking spot was
open in the front.

Samosa for appetizer. "Sir..." he handed over the Masala Dosa dish which
they all had recommended : "take your time, enjoy!".
 

[Down the street from it there's a "Indian & Chinese Indian" restaurant!
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Greetings dear Reza,

First let me answer your questions:

Reza: How are you?
Me:    I'm fine.

Reza: What's up?
Me:    My pecker.

Reza: How's work?
Me:    Work is still work - occupational therapy for the middle class.

Reza: What r u doin?
Me:    Trying to shed the stigma of having to work for a living.

Sounds like you're eventually coming to terms with the Big Apple. Just in
case you're interested, a few words of advise:

(1) Don't play the guitar whilst negotiating the Holland Tunnel or
Washington Bridge in a car on your own.

(2) Don't ever trust Russian hairdressers.

(3) Convince the Japanese girl not to move out and share the room (and
king-size bed) with her.

(4) Get rid of the drummer.

One definite advantage of NY, as you undoubtedly know, is that the
international cuisine is excellent. Just reading about those samoosa's made
my mouth water. Anyway, good to know that you're doing well.

Winter here was very disappointing, i.e. no snowfall. The only snow I saw
was some 5 cm, which had fallen in the morning. By noon it had already
melted again. Bad business for the wintersport resorts. Although there is
snow to be found up in the mountains, its nothing to get excited about.
Swiss winter tourism surely feels the effects.

This Feb. we'll be sailing down in Florida again where we slowly, but
surely, are mastering the art of balancing sail, wind and water. Talk about
therapeutic... relaxation... beauty... Ah, I become lyrical just thinking
about such a dose of health food for the soul.

Now for my questions:
SNIP

Always good to hear from you. B. sends her (dare I say "love"?) and
greetings.

From me of course, tons o' greetings too, 'till next time,
Robert
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The whole time driving between 3 states I play the guitar - good chance to zero-in on some passages, etc. - heavy traffic/Rush hour does not bother me anymore. Can do it with or without cruize control. People sometimes look and smile. Want a photo with my website on the window. Black cop babe looking and smiling - rolled down window...'playing music?'  - ya - is it illegal? 'I don't think so' - do you have internet ? here's my card and threw it in her towtruck 'no!'