From the monthly archives:

April 2008

April 21st, 2008 - Change.

by alexmctighe on April 22, 2008

in Letters from the future

Dear Alex,

I assume it is only a few weeks into our journey to LA. Only I know what the future holds for you. Sorry buddy, I can’t tell you, it would ruin the fun. But, let me say this, you’ll love being in Los Angeles. You’ll have your ups and downs like everyone else, and honestly, that is what makes it even better. Remind yourself it is only normal to feel out of place. I mean, you spent the last 31 years of your life living within 100 miles of New York City. Now that you live in the land of Holistic Medicine and, well, people in general - let me quote a hoslitic medical doctor:

“Life is known only by those who have found a way to be comfortable with change and the unknown. Given the nature of life, there may be no security, but only adventure.” - Rachel Naomi Remen

I know you see this as an adventure, a way to expand on who you are and grow as a person. For that, I am proud of you. But, I need to remind you to be comfortable with this change. Understand that you will not know everything that lies before you, and you cannot control it either. However, embrace this fact, run with it, and live to experience the new things in your life. California is filled with beauty. California is filled with amazing places to go and things to do and learn. Your friends and family back home will mostly still be there for you. Understand, however, that not all of them will be. This is normal, this is reality, this is life.

Regret is not something you should focus on. There so many things you can regret and all they do is stop you from moving forward. You already have stopped yourself from making changes in the past. Even when you wanted to. Even when it felt right to do. You did this because you were worried about the regret and guilt you would feel. Some of those changes you did make, like when you quit working at Clear Channel Radio Sales, you regretted immediately. You said to yourself, “What now, I don’t have a job?”. But look at you now, you have a great job were people respect you and you respect yourself. Would you be where you are today if you had not made that choice? You and I will never know, but honestly, I think it was the best thing for you to do.

“When you choose your friends, don’t be short-changed by choosing personality over character.” - W. Somerset Maugham

That, my past self, is very important. You have the opportunity to make many new friends and introduce yourself to many new people. Don’t let yourself be fooled by personality, this is not always who the person is. Being fooled by personality is a sign of adolescence. Understand a person’s character before you make that person your true friend. I think you are pretty good at this anyway, but I thought it was important to remind you. You see it everyday, your friends have friends that take advantage of them. You scratch your head and wonder, why would anyone want someone so selfish and self serving as a friend? When choosing your friends, remember this feeling. Be cognizant of their character and be honest with yourself. It is ok to be picky. Actually, if you aren’t, you’ll start letting your life be controlled by others’ desires.

So, now that I have sent you a lecture in a letter, let me wish you the best of luck. I send you confidence, because I tell you I am doing well in the future. I hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

Alexander

PS: This beach is right down the road from you, if you forgot…

Santa Monica

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April 15th, 2008 - Goodbye New York and Hoboken

by alexmctighe on April 15, 2008

in General Conversations

My friend Diana, who lives here in Los Angeles, read that moving to a new place is one of the most stressful life changes anyone can make in their life. I have to agree. Though I am happy with my choice to move here, it has been an up and down roller coaster of emotions. Today, when I woke up, I actually felt like I was still in a dream. Reality hit when I was trying to navigate the traffic under the 405 underpass on Wilshire Blvd.

I certainly miss New York and Hoboken. I know I will be more comfortable with not being there over time, but right now I could really go for a Fiore’s sandwich or maybe a frosty brew down in the Village or at South Street Seaport.

So, with that, I am going to give my “Top Ten” things in Hoboken and New York. Now, remember, these are my “Top Ten” things, so tough luck if you think I am wrong.

Hoboken - Top Ten Things, in no particular order:

  1. Fiore’s Mutz - The best Mozzarella this side of Italy.
  2. La Isla - I could eat their Cuban sandwich everyday.
  3. Helmer’s - Bratwurst and Beer, what could be better?
  4. Maxwell’s - Great live music from big name acts, on Washington St.
  5. St. Ann’s Feast - A good time AND a Beer Garden!
  6. Chickie’s - Characters and great food, and right across the street from my old place.
  7. Diana’s - I’d like the breakfast special please, extra bacon.
  8. Biggie’s - Clams and Beer, and great cheese steaks.
  9. 1st Street Bars - This is where the real drinkers hang. RIP McSwiggin’s - well at least until they rebuild you.
  10. Karma Cafe - Indian food

Now, there are a thousand other great things in Hoboken.. these were just my favorites.

New York - Top Ten Things, in no particular order:

  1. Burger Joint - The best burgers in New York.
  2. MoMa - An amazing Museum of Modern Art.
  3. Central Park - Goes without saying.
  4. American Museum of Natural History - I could spend days there.
  5. Metropolitan Museum of Art - Same deal here.
  6. Corner Bistro - The second best burgers in New York.
  7. The Village - Filled with fun places and good food.
  8. Washington Heights - You have not seen latin flavor until you go there.
  9. South Street Seaport - This is in honor of my buddy - Jimmy.
  10. Murray Hill and Grand Central Station area - This is because I worked here, and I miss it.

So, now I need to discover the places I would put on my “Top Ten” list in LA. Anyone have any suggestions? I went to the Applepan (Awesome), Moonshadows (Hey Britney), The Beer Garden in Venice (Thanks Del), and I would say they rank high so far. But, I have only been here a little over two weeks (Don’t drink the double Margaritas at Cabo - they are potent), I might be quick to judge. Now that I am “back in the game”, I will be writing much more. Peace Bitches, it is time to have a beer.

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April 1, 2008 - I am in LA…

by alexmctighe on April 2, 2008

in General Conversations

Well - it is not an April Fool’s joke, I am in Los Angeles. I moved in on Sunday and spent my first day at work, today. This is a beautiful city and I am happy I am here. However, I still feel these deep pangs of “what the hell am I doing?” But, I know that this was the best choice for me to make. I do have a few things written that I need to post here on my “blog” so keep your eyes open for them. This Friday is going to be a tough day for me, it is the one year anniversary of my great friend Jimmy Lombardi’s death. For those of you who like reading what I write - thanks for being patient.

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