Compare and Contrast

Ways in which Hoboken is like Europe:

• Everything is super expensive
• Today I bought produce at the produce market, cheese at an italian deli, and wine at a liquor store, all small businesses, all within 4 blocks from my apartment. How fun!
  
• Mass transportation is EFFICIENT and everyone uses it!!!
  
• Everyone has an accent, but you will also hear many other languages while you're walking around town
• Finding parking is like searching for the holy grail. We don't drive mainly because we would then sacrifice our parking spot and have to find another one, driving around Hoboken for at least another 30 minutes.
  
• The apartment we live in is actually more than 75 years old, and has 'character' (it's super tiny)
  
• Everyone is a democrat, most are liberal
  

Ways in which working in New York is like living in a dramatic movie:

• Everything is super expensive
  
• Walking to work we pass by tourists, movie theaters, the Ripley's 'Believe it or Not' museum, and TIMES SQUARE
• There is a charming park across the street with tables and chairs, and occasional concerts and movies (perfect for dramatic 'I didn't expect to see you here' interludes
• Also across the street is the NY library, which is another tourist attraction and historic building... filled with secrets, I'm sure...
• Paul actually witnessed a criminal being caught by the police. Said criminal sprinted past Paul as he was entering the crosswalk, stumbled and tripped (how scripted!) and two cops caught up with the criminal and forced him to the ground in the middle of the street with a foot on his back and handcuffed him. This all happened a couple yards in front of Paul...
• There are famous people where we work (well, at least famous in the optometric community)
• With the price of plane tickets the way they are, it is akin to being stuck inside of a box flickering with activity! (ie a TV)
• The camera pans away to a distant view whenever someone says anything meaningful and poetic (no, just kidding)
• Like every good (or bad) movie, this one has an ending. I couldn't do it for longer than a year, that is certain. But we are barely past the opening credits! Stay tuned for the plot buildup, although it should be fairly predictable. Work, work, work. Fatigue. Work some more. Yah!

Paul just called to tell me he's on his way home, 1 hour later than clinic is supposed to be finished. Apparently his attending doctor really likes to hear himself talk, and kept them late. Lucky for him, I am wonderful and I made dinner and have a cold beer waiting for him! No promises on the quality of either, but after a 12 hour day I'm sure he won't be too picky (he never really is... except when it comes to shoes, which is odd...)