⧉ Something good is worth finding
Welcome to the seventeenth issue of OVERLAP ⧉
Something good is worth finding
I moved to New York two years ago, almost to the day. During my first few months, I left my heavy gear at home and wandered the streets with small 35mm cameras.
I recently revisited these folders in my archive, and the memories of each unencumbered stroll came back to me in vivid color. The novelty of my new commute through Madison Square Park. Photowalking with Rachel in Long Island City on our way to the Art Book Fair. Early morning light casting shadows on East Village fire escapes.
Many people envision New York in black and white — maybe because the city is well-documented in historical photos. To me, the neighborhoods pulse with vibrant energy and radiant color. The hazy glow of New York light illuminates the contrasts of city life: bright and dark, old and new, familiar and unfamiliar.
You can’t see the horizon, but the architecture is dazzling. You can’t see the stars in the sky, but we have stars on the ground.
It’s a pain to live in New York, but it’s more of a pain to not live here. After a while, the grit and the crowds and the dysfunction seem normal. Smoothly navigating each new quirk feels like a superpower.
Imperfections become more interesting than polished exteriors. Nothing is easy, but nothing is boring. It’s not a destination — it’s home.
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Auntie Jess recommends:
Getting up early on Sunday mornings when the city is quiet and the streets are empty. It’s the perfect time to wander.
Sitting (or standing) in the middle of the subway car. The air conditioning units are on the end of each car, and in the summer, they drip.
Carrying hand sanitizer wipes. You never know when a pigeon might shit in your hair. But hey — it’s supposed to bring good luck.
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Thanks for reading. I’d love to hear from you — hit reply or send a message through my website. You can also forward this to a friend or two and invite them to subscribe. If you missed a previous issue, all the archives are online.
Until next time,
Jessica
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