GatorUptown's Blog

So I’m back in Charlotte. Again. And I just booked a flight yesterday afternoon to come back again next

week.

There are times when I think about how much easier some aspects of my life would be if I hadn’t moved.
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Yes, I admit: yesterday’s “Accepting Reality” post was an April Fool’s Day prank. But like most good fiction, it has it’s foundation in some unfortunate truth.

But then, this shouldn’t really be much of a surprise to frequent readers. I love living in New York, but I’ve written several times about how it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.
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This weekend, I sat down with Sal and we looked at our expenses and income over the last six months. And the unfortunate reality is, we just can’t afford to live in New York.

At least, I can’t afford to live here.
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It’s amazing how sometimes a good laugh can be immediately followed by some silent introspection. I was browsing through a website that I enjoy this evening when I came across an image that made me laugh out loud, startling the two sleeping dogs in the room… And then it made me stop and think about two predicaments in which I find myself.

Examine if you will, this image:
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It’s hard to believe that I’ve lived in New York for half a year now. In my usual semi-sentimental nostalgic fashion, I decided this morning to go back and review the ups and downs of the move to my new home, and of course, that involved a lot of going back through old blog entries.

Sometimes it’s handy to obsessively chronicle your life, Doogie Howser style. (Cue theme song!)
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I posted yesterday about the beautiful Report-a-Taxi app, which New Yorkers can use to report taxi drivers who fail to follow the rules… I actually got some results back from using the app a few months ago, and thought I’d share my tale.

I succeeded at reporting three drivers for refusing to drive me from Manhattan home to Queens, and got ‘em hauled in front of a judge to face a fine.
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Living in one of the “other boroughs” of New York City (meaning, not Manhattan) has some clear advantages: lower rent, larger living spaces, cheaper food, etc. One downside is that taxis sometimes refuse to take you home from Manhattan, which is actually illegal.

Fortunately there’s a nifty little tool for reporting taxis, which I’m delighted to share with my fellow New Yorkers.

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Anyone who spends more than a couple of minutes with me in person knows that I am obsessed with my iPhone. I have it with me constantly, and am frequently seen using it even at odd times. So what I’m about to say may shock you.

I’m really getting tired of people using their smartphones at inexcusable times.
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