Tag: New York City

creativity

In the pause: Opining on pizza and why I love New York City in the New York Times today

Christa Avampato

I had the chance to talk about 2 of my favorite subjects in the New York Times: pizza and my love for New York City.

“I would take a New York City slice, served piping hot out of the oven onto a generic white paper plate as I walk around the city, over any other slice anywhere in the world. It’s not just the pizza, it’s the spirit of the city embedded in it that makes all the difference. We all have our preferences. And for me, New York is the place for pizza, and for life.”

Check out the full piece at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/16/nyregion/new-york-today-chicago-pizza-vs-the-new-york-slice.html?_r=0.

creativity

In the pause: A life in moments

Christa Avampato

unnamed“We do not remember days. We remember moments.” ~Cesare Pavese

I passed by this sign on the street about a month ago, and it’s message hit me so hard my eyes teared up. I was especially struck by this line: “In true New York fashion, friendships were created here that crossed all barriers, and allowed strangers to become family. Like its namesake in Paris, our Barbès became a melting pot, one that celebrates all that is good in New York City and all that is good in America.”

A month later, I’m still think about this message to take a moment to have a moment that we will treasure long after the moment has passed. This is a note of thanks from the owners and staff of Barbès Restaurant in midtown that’s closing because the building is being knocked down. This happens a lot in New York. We tear things down. We build new things. People arrive. People leave. The constant turnover of places and people is a way of life here.

But something about this particular note hit me hard. The sentiment, gratitude, and deep sadness of the situation was so authentic in this simple sign taped to the window. And despite the sorrow at the end of its life, there was joy and gratitude. I looked in, and saw many people of all different ages, colors, and faiths enjoying a meal there. They were having a moment, made all the more poignant by the fact that this place would no longer exist in a very short time. It would live only in their memories. And I think that’s the very best we can to do with our time—to create memories that will outlast us by welcoming people into our lives.

 

 

 

creativity

In the pause: Writing in the middle of Times Square

Christa Avampato

Emerson’s second book begins in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, the night before her 14th birthday. On Wednesday, I walked a few blocks from my office on my lunch break and took a spin around the exact area where I imagine her to be. Like my own internal augmented reality, I could see her, the other characters, and the action of the scene unfolding in my mind, superimposed on the real-world setting where I stood. It was like having an out-of-body experience.

There is something powerful about writing in place, standing in the place where your imagination runs wild and getting it all down as best you can. I wrote the first draft of this opening scene in my apartment, 50 blocks north of Times Square. When I edit it, refine it, fill it with the juicy detail and vivid imagery that bring Emerson and her journey to life, I’m going to be there, in Times Square. You’ll find me on the top step of the red staircase in Duffy Square, just above the TKTS booth. I’ll be pounding away on my laptop in the cold night air because I want you to feel what Emerson feels. I want the sense of urgency and alarm she experiences on that night to be what you feel when you read those words. I’m blessed to live in the city where my stories are set, and that’s a privilege I’ll use to its full advantage.

creativity

In the pause: Running the 2018 NYC Marathon

Christa Avampato

I’ve decided to register for the lottery to get into the 2018 NYC Marathon. Anyone want to join me on this adventure? In 2001 I ran the Chicago marathon a month after 9/11. It was one of the most life-affirming experiences I’ve ever had. 16 years later, I need to have that feeling again about our country and our world. I’ll try that path, and if it doesn’t work out then I’ll see what other avenues I might take into the race. Either way, it’s time to get moving, to feel hopeful about our future despite the ugliness of the world right now. And I figured the moving starts with me, right where I am, in this city that I love with these people who are my neighbors and friends.

creativity

In the pause: West Side Rag reviews my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters

Christa Avampato

West Side Rag is one of my favorite neighborhood publications on the Upper West Side. I’m so excited that they reviewed my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters. My thanks to writer and reviewer Nancy Novick. Check out the review on West Side Rag.

creativity

In the pause: Some thoughts on the terrorism in New York City

Christa Avampato

I’ve waited to post my thoughts and feelings about the act of terrorism that happened in New York City last week. Honestly, I didn’t have any words. When I worked at Amex, my office was right there. I walked that stretch of road countless times in the four years I was there. I have wonderful friends who still work there.

On Tuesday, I started getting texts and social media messages asking if I was okay. I work in midtown now, and found out about the news via Twitter as so many people across the country and across the world did. I was physically fine, and extremely sad this had happened. Especially in my city that I love so much.

The piece that really gets me is that the people who were hurt and killed weren’t doing anything inherently dangerous. They were just living their lives. Going about their business at 3pm on a Tuesday. It was just an ordinary day like any other day until it wasn’t.

All I can really think to say is that not a single one of us chooses what happens to us moment to moment. Life’s here and it’s gone, and so often it’s through absolutely no fault of our own. There’s nothing we can do to prevent it. We are always teetering right on the edge of existence whether we choose to realize it or not.

My heart breaks and my eyes tear up in memory of those people who left our city on Tuesday, and to everyone who knew them and loved them. Their loss is our loss, as a city and as a nation. I didn’t know any of them personally though I will honor their memory by living my best life every day.

creativity

In the pause: A Love Letter to New York

Christa Avampato

Though I didn’t move here until after college, living in New York City has been the dream of my life since I was a kid. And as difficult (and expensive!) as it can be to live here, there’s not a day that I’m not grateful for the creativity that lives and breathes around every corner. In my book, I showcase a lot of that magic found on, above, and below these streets. That theme will continue through Emerson’s series. Her story began here, blossoms here, and will end here (8 books from now.) She’ll travel to far-flung lands, find herself in wild situations, and meet dozens of people who can best be described as true characters. And as much as she’ll love those travels and adventures, she’ll always find her way back here to New York like so many of us do. Like a magnet, it draws us in. Once we’re in its orbit, it has us forever.

creativity

In the pause: A park full of wieners

Christa Avampato

Nothing says fun more than a park full of wieners! Phineas and I attended Dachtoberfest—a celebration of dachshunds and the humans who love them—yesterday at Washington Square Park. It was a spectacular time for the long, little doggies. I love that we live in a city where this is an annual event.

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creativity

In the pause: The joy of walking to work in New York City

Christa Avampato

I walk to and from work so I catch glimpses of the lives of passersby each day. Two friends in a cafe. People walking their dogs. An exchange between a coffee cart vendor and a customer. I try my best in that 40-minute walk to stay present. To notice. To appreciate the richness of life in New York City. Though it’s not always pretty, it’s always vibrant. I feel lucky every day to be here.

creativity

In the pause: The Theater of the Disappearance at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Christa Avampato

They say that on a clear day you can see forever. On this clear day, I went to see the current rooftop installation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Argentinian artist Adrián Villar Rojas. It’s haunting and beautiful, and you still have a month to see it. Though there’s no sound in the exhibit, I kept finding myself hearing stories from these statues. What happened to them? Why were they at this dinner party? Who are they? What were they hiding? I’m certain these stories will find their way into my second book in the Emerson Page series.