Unstable Vacation!

Originally posted September 17, 2019

It’s been a WHILE since I posted an update! The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Good and bad. Let’s start with the bad… One reason I haven’t blogged in a while is because my laptop was ~*compromised*~ and I haven’t been able to actually publish a post. I’ll save you the sob story about what happened. It was dramatic and silly. That is all I’m willing to share for now… But this means that some of this blog was started last week so be on the lookout for updates throughout.

Now, the rest is mostly good! I feel like I’ve been doing nothing and everything at the same time. School is back in session and it’s very strange to see school things happening and not being related to them at all. I have always done school and now suddenly… I don’t. Crazy. Anyway, in that same vain, I finally got a job! Woohoo! I’ll be working at the lululemon store in SoHo and’m thrilled about it! Finally I don’t have to feel like I’m stuck on unstable vacation! Which is what I’ve been calling my current situation to other people. I have been looking for jobs (as well as doing strange odd jobs like being a paid talk show audience member or handing out flyers for events) but also live life in NYC as much as a baller on a budget can. And I’ve actually found a lot of exciting and cheap things to do that I will probably continue to do as much as I can! By a lot… I just mean one thing in particular…

I’ve spent way more time than necessary on the Staten Island Ferry which I think a lot of people may have a gross/negative connotation about, but, let me just say… it’s pretty awesome. I can take a 1 train all the way to South Ferry for a FREE boat ride that is about 25 minutes long and you get AMAZING views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty AND Ellis Island… “But Jessica, what on EARTH do you do once you’re in Staten Island?” Great question! More than you think! There is a relatively new outlet mall right outside the ferry terminal which is the ONLY outlet mall in the 5 boroughs and it’s currently the only place I will shop in New York because it’s way cheaper and I get to ride a cool boat to get there. If you’re a little bit white trash classy like myself, there are a bar in the St. George Ferry Terminal that has a decent happy hour and you can sit outside and look across to Manhattan. There is also a creepy bar deeper into the terminal if you’re feeling really adventurous called “ZZ’s Pizza & Grill” (That’s the official name if you look the place up, but the sign above the place says “ZZ’s Pizza & Bar” which is more suited to the establishment.) The kind folks at ZZ’s serve a “cocktail” called, “Brain Damage” and yes they deem it a cocktail on their menu… that contains exclusively Jägermeister, vodka and tequila. And it get’s better… You can have all of that for the price of $9. A free boat ride and $9 Brain Damage: the ride of a lifetime. I have NOT tried it and I don’t think I could watch someone pour that in front of me without a barf bag nearby. But, it’s apparently always and option at ZZ’s Pizza & Grill (Bar). On a much more serious and less vomit-inducing note, there is a beautiful memorial there called the Postcards Memorial that is for the Staten Islanders who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The memorial is right on the water and when you look at out into Manhattan it stands where the Twin Towers once stood and Freedom Tower stands right in the center of it. It’s quite beautiful. Unfortunately there was some maintenance going on when I first went, but I definitely want to go back when the work is finished.

On days that aren’t September 11th, the best thing about the Staten Island Ferry is riding it around sunset. It’s quite breathtaking. The ride is free. (Can I say it again?) You can buy a beer on the boat at a cash only bar for $4.25 and just enjoy an hour riding the ferry! I mean, there are bigger tourist traps in NYC than this one. I say this one is worth your time. Especially, if you get your timing right!

NYC has surprised me a lot. Although it does smell like hot garbage quite often, I’m in awe of it’s beauty and power even more often. Between gorgeous parks, astonishing architecture and riding ferry boats. It’s a gorgeous city that I’ve enjoyed having unstable vacation in. But I definitely am even more excited to have an income so that my life can feel more like stable vacation! I also am reminding myself to not get too caught up in trying to make myself super permanent here but to look for opportunities to further my career in a bigger way. I’m auditioning and video auditioning and submitting and searching for open mic opportunities and it feels like there is so much going on around me which is very exciting. There are opportunities for me and I feel like I’m going to have exciting things happening soon. I can feel it! When I have new things happening I’d be sure to update my Upcoming page on my website so subscribe to that too if you’re interested in keeping up with the goings on in my life and career!

UPDATE: Some things are happening! I’ll be singing at Don’t Tell Mama (343 W 46th) on October 22nd! Which is DOUBLY exciting because that’s the week my parents will be in town and it’ll be my performance debut in NYC! Woohoo! The unstable vacation just got a little more exciting! I have a few auditions coming up and boy, it feels good to sing. More on that soon!

XOXO,

Texas Jess