A Whole Lot Of Inconvenience Going On

Manhattan, at least south of 39th Street, has no power. I live on the 21st floor of a building. I have made two trips already today to go up and down for supplies. Followers of this blog know that I like running and exercise, and all that training comes in handy around floor 15, when I am panting and wishing for a death that never comes.

This is me, with my new best friend, my Dora The Explorer flashlight. It was the last flashlight Walgreen's on 36th Street had in stock two days ago. It goes with me everywhere. I love her.

Apologies for not wearing any make up in these photos. But we're in a state of emergency, and I mentioned my numerous romps up and down the staircases. For some reason, I seem to be the only person I see going up. Everyone else is always coming down.

Electricity is the ultimate commodity these past 24 hours, and East Side residents, such as myself, wander like meth addicts looking for a fix. (I've seen people charging devices outside of buildings, attached to utility outlets.) A deli on 41st Street and Park had power strips set up, in the hopes that we would buy some snacks while we waited for a charge. Well played.

Now I am at Bar & Books, where I snagged a table before the joint became packed. I will be leaving soon, full of Pimm's Cups and electricity. I still need a shower. Help?

Empty Grand Central

Manhattan is pretty much a ghost town now, since the subways are down, New Jersey transit is closed the bridges and tunnels are on the brink of closure as well.

There are a lot of bored and restless New Yorkers today, waiting for something to happen. Anyone who was here for Irene won't be terribly jazzed if this all turns out to be nothing more than a giant rainstorm. Sure, we're prepared, but no one likes the weatherman who cries wolf. And there's been a lot of that when it comes to hurricanes and New York City.

I love photos of empty New York City. I found these on Gothamist, who always manages to find great photo collections.

View from the 21st floor at about 8:00 a.m. We'll see if this changes at all.

P.S. There was a lot of internet buzz yesterday about grocery stores in Manhattan being total madhouses with people stocking up on artinsanal cheeses and multi grain bread. At the risk of sounding smug, I don't understand why anyone would wait until 3:00 in the afternoon to stock up on hurricane items.

I happened to be up early on Sunday and went to D'Agostinos as soon as it opened. It was certainly busy at 8:30 in the morning, but there was plenty of water, cilantro hummus and fresh fruit to go around. My point: Early bird always gets the worm, or in New York City, the last case of Evian.

So True.

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