From "Highland View" to "Hudson View"

So I thought it might be helpful to explain my current living situation since it was the inspiration for the title of this blog.

I am currently living in Hudson View Apartments located in the Washington Heights neighborhood located in the northwest corner of Manhattan. I actually just realized how similar the names of my Lincoln and New York apartment complexes are. In Lincoln I lived in Highland View Apartments and now I'm living in Hudson View Apartments. I guess it's pretty common to have "view" in the name of an apartment complex. After all, doesn't everyone want a place with a great view?

Anyways, Washington Heights is named after Fort Washington which was a Continental Army fortification located on Manhattan's highest point during the Revolutionary War. Actually, in Bennett Park, which is located directly adjacent to Hudson View Apartments, there is a plaque marking Manhattan's highest natural elevation. Okay, enough with the history lesson.

Washington Heights used to have a fairly high crime rate and parts of it still does, but fortunately my neighborhood is pretty safe. I've been told the apartment complex is home to many intellectuals and musicians. For example, the musical directors from the Broadway musical Mamma Mia live in the complex. Additionally, many professors live here.

The building exterior somewhat reminds me of England. Old-fashioned bricks and stones are prevalent in it's design. Additionally, it has a somewhat half-timbered structure which really reminds me of London.

So, how did I find this apartment? Well, when my Mom's close friend (who was also my kindergarten teacher), Pat Sudrla (or Mrs. S. as I called her), found out I was moving to New York she contacted her niece, Amy, who lives at Hudson View. Amy knew of someone who was looking for a student to rent a spare bedroom, and that is all I needed. Amy called up her friend and got me the place. Their help made my search much easier and was definitely appreciated!

The person I am renting the room from is actually a 70-year-old Indian woman named Chhaya. She is a retired teacher, with a PhD from Columbia who now teaches yoga. She's quite an interesting person, I'll leave it at that. However, I'm very appreciative of her opening her home to me.

I am lucky enough to have a room with two windows giving me quite the view. From my window facing the south I have a beautiful view of the complex's courtyard complete with rose bushes, walk-ways and park benches. It's especially picturesque right after a bit of snowfall. From my window to the west I have a view of, well, two other apartment buildings across the street. However, between the buildings I can see the not-to-distant Hudson River. Yep, the same one Captain "Sully" successfully crash-landed a US Airways passenger plane in.

So, here I sit in my two-windowed bedroom, each window with unique and contrasting views; located on Manhattan's highest natural point; looking out at the city full of countless images, places and people waiting to be 'viewed' by me.

Live From New York!

What a difference six months can make. Last summer I wrote to you from Montana while working at a campground just outside of Yellowstone National Park. I wrote to you from, what I consider to be, one of the most scenic and comforting places I’ve visited. Now, I’m writing to you from yet another scenic place, only it’s a different type of scenery. The lodgepole pines have been replaced by steel skyscrapers. The bald eagles have been replaced by countless pigeons. And my fear of being mauled by a grizzly bear has been replaced by a fear of being mugged. It’s certainly a different place, but I’m excited about this new adventure.

I’ve always hoped for the opportunity to work in New York City and that dream has now become a reality. This semester I am working as the writers’ intern at the Late Show with David Letterman. It’s pretty much an ideal internship for me. Unfortunately, I am unable to let you in on too many details of what I do on a day-to-day basis because of proprietary reasons. Therefore, most of what I write will be about general observations and experiences I have in the city. However, I can assure you my work is primarily basic intern stuff. I run scripts around, pick up video tapes, order food and pretty much do whatever the writers need done.

It’s fun just being here where I get to see how a television production is run. I had no idea how many coordinating efforts go into producing this show every night. I couldn’t believe how many people there are actually working here and how each person has a very specific role in ensuring each day the show gets put together.

Before you even ask...no, unfortunately, I haven’t seen Dave yet. I’m guessing I’ll see him in passing eventually though. However, I do see the rest of the supporting cast on a fairly regular basis. I periodically see Paul Shaffer, Alan Kalter (the announcer), Biff Henderson (stage manager), Tony Mendez (cue card guy), and Rupert Jee (owner of the Hello Deli). Tony Mendez even asked me to be in an episode of his online web series, The Tony Mendez Show, which can be found on the Late Show’s website. I’ll post the link as soon as they get it online.

Anyway, this blog is officially up and running. I will do my best to update it a couple times a week so you can stay up-to-date on my experiences here in the Big Apple. If you enter your email address in the specified box in the column to the right you can be notified via email on days when I post something new. If you have any questions please give me a call or feel free to leave me a comment.