Seen and heard.

Had dinner with a friend tonight, and it was an interesting conversation, both of us trying to describe our experiences with the city thus far.

Me: I know this sounds really weird, but I don't feel like New York City is actually much of a ... physical place. It's more of a state of mind or something.

Him: DUDe. I know what you mean. It's more like ... temporary. Everything feels really transient - the people, the events, everything. It's like a city on speed.

Me: Doesn't seem like anyone's ever here for very long, except for the people who've already become a part of the city - the cops, the street sweepers, the beggars. It's one or two years and then PEACE out, NYC.

Him: But at the same time ... I can totally imagine the city standing here on its own even without the people. It's got a life of its own and sometimes I feel like it would breathe better if all the people weren't suffocating it so much.