Phineas and I hunkered down in our apartment in New York to ride out Hurricane Irene. We were not asked to evacuate (though if we had been, we certainly would have complied). We stocked up on water and food, filled pots, pans, and bowls with water in case our plumbing went out. We stayed away from the windows as we’re up on the 17th floor of our apartment building. Phone and computer fully charged, movies and books at the ready. The girl scout in me was at her preparedness best.
Irene didn’t pack the punch near us that many feared, though Phin is never happy about any amount of rain. I keep telling him we should be grateful it wasn’t worse; he’s not having it. He just toddles off to his bed and flops down with a dramatic “hmph!” (See photo above.)
Pictures on TV from Long Island look awful – downed trees and flooding – though electricity for most seemed to be on. The storm went a bit further Eats which saved us in New York City. I am still glad that the alerts were sent out for all of us. I’d always prefer to hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. With these unpredictable types of storms, you never know what can happen.
Truth be told, I mind the rain and gray weather far less than most. I like the feeling of being insulated. I used the bad weather as a time of introspection and I’ve been able to stay productive. Lots of reading and writing, planning for Compass Yoga, and catching up with people via phone and online. It was a good reminder to me of how important it is to take time out and hunker down once in a while, and it shouldn’t take a hurricane warning to do so.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
2 thoughts on “Beginning: Us and Irene”
Christa,
I have been following the news, as usual. So, when I heard about Hurricane Irene in NYC, I immediately thought about you. I was anxious about your health, safety and well-being, so I really needed to read this post. Thank you for keeping us in the loop. I heaved a sigh of relief when I came to know that you are doing well and are okay and your lie is safe and sound. I feel happy for you whenever you manage to avoid such mishaps. You deserve so much better in life. Phineas is going to recover soon: this is just a temporary setback, that’s all. Cheers.
Hi Archan,
Phin and I are doing well. This morning I did find out that two of our neighbors – the one next door and the one directly across the hall – had their ceilings cave in. Luckily ours was untouched. My hometown was also completely flooded in certain sections. Worst in our history. Scary stuff, and I’m glad everyone is safe.
Christa Avampato 
Christa,
I have been following the news, as usual. So, when I heard about Hurricane Irene in NYC, I immediately thought about you. I was anxious about your health, safety and well-being, so I really needed to read this post. Thank you for keeping us in the loop. I heaved a sigh of relief when I came to know that you are doing well and are okay and your lie is safe and sound. I feel happy for you whenever you manage to avoid such mishaps. You deserve so much better in life. Phineas is going to recover soon: this is just a temporary setback, that’s all. Cheers.
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Hi Archan,
Phin and I are doing well. This morning I did find out that two of our neighbors – the one next door and the one directly across the hall – had their ceilings cave in. Luckily ours was untouched. My hometown was also completely flooded in certain sections. Worst in our history. Scary stuff, and I’m glad everyone is safe.
LikeLike