[prev] Wed, 03 Sep 2003 15:51:50 -0400 [next] [life] - [comment]
These are in no particular order and I've left out a bunch of things, but when I was sitting at work one afternoon, this is what I came up with. Soon to be followed up with the 10 Things I Won't Miss About Long Island.
1. Job
I worked with a lot of great people at WLIR. I never really met anyone I didn't like, but that was probably because I spent most of my time on the radio side of the building -- I never strayed too far into corporate or sales. I mean, there were some great people in sales, but it was just easier to stick with my own kind. In summary, People: good, Hours: not so good, Return on Investment: good and bad. I gained a lot of experience at 'LIR, but not a whole lot of green. It's hard to justify keeping a job when you can barely afford to pay your car insurance. But more about the cost of living later. However, since I did enjoy working there, I stayed for a year. I think I have mixed emotions about leaving, but leaning towards the positive. I will miss working there and everyone I worked with, but I won't miss making shit money and having to worry about expenses week to week.
2. Friends
This isn't quite as bad as it could be, since I've lived in Binghamton for the past four years... (well, '98 to '02, anyway) so I don't really have the same number of close friends that I did when I got out of high school. I would probably be at fault if I mentioned, or tried to mention, my friends on LI individually, so I'll just make a blanket statement saying that you're all great and that I will miss you. You know who you are.
3. Croxley Ales
My favorite pub, probably ever. Soon to be replaced, I'm sure, by Mahar's Public Bar. I can't describe to you why I like it so much, but it's a combination of a few things: First, the people that work there are tops. Second, the food is great. Third, 56 taps! And fourth, the ubiquitous "TEN CENT WINGS, MAN!"
4. Family
My nuclear and immediate family live on Long Island. While I'm sure they're growing slightly sick of my big mouth and heavily opinionated diatribes on just about everything, I'm sure they'll miss having me around. Well, at least, I know Tim will miss me, because it means there's one less person who can drive him to work.
5. Ocean Parkway
My favorite road on Long Island, it runs from southernmost tip of the Meadowbrook far out into Suffolk. It's rarely patrolled by the police, but I never got too crazy on it. During the day, there are beautiful views of the bays and the Atlantic Ocean, and at night, you can look out over the Island and admire it's flatness. I usually drive the Ocean Parkway when I'm in a contemplative mood, or things aren't going my way. It's one of the few consistent things in my life.
6. Empire Discs
A great little music store right down from work on Stewart Avenue. Used and new CD's of every flavor make their home here. It's really one of my favorite places. I avoid going there too often, because I can easily drop between $30 or $50 a trip. The very last time I went there was with Kristin, and I picked up Keep It Like A Secret, an album I've been looking to have in my collection for years. It's a great little store and it caters to all kinds of people, not just annoying music snobs like me.
7. (Good) Pizza and Bagels
I'll keep this short and simple. Pizza and Bagels outside of the Tri-State area suck ass. I'm not saying this as some downstate elitist, I'm saying it because it's a fact. Why people can't figure out how to make a proper pizza baffles me. I mean, I don't know how to make one, but there are people that could probably teach you or something.
8. (Free) Broadband and Satellite TV
I don't watch a lot of TV, but I sit online like nobody's business. Unhealthy amounts, I tell you. And the TV is nice to have there every once in awhile. Mostly I think I'll miss the 'free' aspect, as I can probably benefit from unplugging for a while.
9. Not Paying Rent
My parents have let me live rent free at home for the past year, which is pretty hot, I guess. Then again, if they had made me pay rent, on top of paying them the money I owe them, on top of all my other bills, it's safe to say I would just be going further into debt. Does that even make sense? Maybe not. But I will miss the whole not having to pay rent thing.
10. Free Music
One of the fringe benefits of working in radio is that you get tons of free music. It's not so much important that it's good or not, because you're not shelling out the bucks for it. That's why I think it's important that I stay in radio, at least as a part time thing. Obviously not my driving interest for being in radio, but who doesn't like a couple free discs?