One year ago

I took this photo one year ago.

For those who want context: I had just gotten off of work at Spa Finder Magazine and began walking towards the NQRW trains at 14th St (Union Square). This diner is located along Park Avenue South, the exact street along the route to which I normally walk to the subway. This shot was taken with my [then new] Canon SD450 compact digital.

I don’t remember much about that day in particular, but I do remember very specifically being extremely tired and weary. I had stayed late at Spa Finder to finish up some work I was doing and the overall sense that that Fall semester was falling apart in front of my eyes was definitely in my thoughts. And as I walked outside towards the train station to go home, I saw this diner and stopped. It was an extremely dark evening, clear and chilly, and the bright lights from this place really just lit up the street.

Now, I don’t know for sure what caused me to make a full stop and just gaze at the lights, but I can tell you that whatever it was, it was exactly what my tired body and soul needed.

To some folks a city’s lights can be very bothersome. To me however, at least on that night one year ago, this city’s lights–flashing and blinking and scrolling around–became some sort of soothing treatment for me that gave me enough energy to pull through the rest of that very tough Fall semester. It was a good feeling and I know some folks who would kill for that sensation right now. So if that’s you at the moment, just remember that you just might find the inspiration and motivation to keep going in the least likely of places, and when you find it you’ll remember it forever. Take this as an example and then talk to me. I’ll try to help you pull through too.