Monday, November 12, 2007

The Kindness of Strangers - New York With A Smile

Not long ago I posted that New York was one of the most polite cities in the world. Even I said, "Yeah. Right." And now I say..Yeah. The Reader's Digest researchers were right. In my experience New York City is a friendly city crowded with smiling faces.

Ever heard anyone say, "When you go to New York don't smile, don't look people in the eye." Well, I didn't take that advice. I smiled. I talked and people talked back. They smiled back. They held open doors and offered an umbrella when I got drenched walking ten blocks in the rain. Taxi drivers told me cute stories about their youth. They shared information to make the trip to a new city more pleasant. They made me feel welcome in the backs of their cabs.

I traveled to the city with a new friend. Someone I'd never met in person before we stepped of
separate planes in Chicago and into each others lives. For the next few days she'd share her hotel room, her friends and her excitement about the future of her career. She listened to me talk. She waited while I bought tons of souvenirs and steered me away from that last shop when she knew I'd "spent enough."

She shared her friend, a well-established author with an animated smile. He took us to dinner and imparted great wisdom about the road ahead of both of us. "Don't worry. It's in the bag, girl!" He encouraged every time my confidence wained. Over cider ale, I watched him, envious...he's only thirty and has been in the business for thirteen years. "God, do I wish I'd had my head wrapped around my goals at seventeen. I'd be in his shoes now. Books on the shelves, books in foreign countries, books on contract, books on deadline. My Goodness! Someday!" He is an inspiration.

I reconnected with an old friend. We met near his work and went out to a long lunch. I can't explain how great it was to see him again, listen to him talk, and watch his gentle face, to know he will always be the same sweet man I remember.

I walked out of the rain and into a store, sans umbrella. The man behind the counter said, "You look happy." I said, "I am happy. Anything else is a waste of my time."

And I meant it. I'm looking forward to the new year and the fun it will bring. I'm looking forward to another trip to New York to launch the next phase of my career. I'm looking forward..happily!
Oh, and on the celebrity spotting front. My friend saw Tori Spelling. I saw Holly Hunter and Condoleezza Rice! Pretty cool, huh?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lisa,

Congratulations on a great trip! I am dying to hear more details!!!! I am confident success will be yours very soon. You are certainly on the right road!

--Clay

Lisa McGlaun said...

Clay,

I sent you an email. Call me! I'm dying to talk.

Best Wishes,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hey girl! Fantastic blog! You go girl! I am so excited for you! Please call me and tell me about your trip! Maybe we can go to NY together sometime. Wouldn't that be awesome?! Love you!

Rene

Lisa McGlaun said...

Rene!!!

Wow, you're first comment on my blog! I love it! How great to have my best friend give me a shout out.

I'll call you to talk about the trip. It was so awesome and I am very excited about the future.

Love you,
Lisa

Michael J. Kannengieser said...

Hi Lisa,
I am so happy for you as you are on the verge of such success. As a New Yorker, I appreciate your kind words about the "Big Apple". As a Long Islander, I am like most of us living in suburbia, we don't want to live in NYC, we only commute there to work. Please know that I consider you to be a terrific writer and that all of your good fortune is well deserved. -Mike

Anonymous said...

Now, you know....you and Rene can't go to NY without me!!!!!

I am SO proud of you!

Love and Kisses,
Tina

Lisa McMann said...

Oh man, I forgot about Condi Rice! I posted about it too.

We had SO MUCH FUN!!

I totally want to go back tomorrow.

Thank you for an AWESOME trip.

love you!

lisa

Lisa McGlaun said...

Mike,

I didn't realize that you live in Long Island..I should have known that as much as I read your blog..argg. I could have asked you to go to lunch with us or something. Next time? I'm staying positive and saying that I'll go back again..this time to meet with an editor.

Thanks for the support,
Lisa

Lisa McGlaun said...

Tina,

You know you are my number 1 girl. If I can ever get you to leave your exciting new relationship for a few days, I'd hop a plane to anywhere with you!

Love you,
Lisa

Lisa McGlaun said...

Lisa,

I thought about adding a link to your blog and saying who I went with on the trip..but you never know how people will feel. Now that you've outed yourself.

Everyone, I went with Lisa McMann the talented author of the upcoming novel WAKE. Look for it in stores in March 2008. It's well worth the cover price. Buy one for yourself and a teenager you love!

Love you,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Lisa,
Sorry it took a while to get back but things are hectic. Been very busy. I'll echo the congrats on your successful trip. I KNOW everything will work out perfectly for you. Trust me, I'm always right. :-)
Take care.
~JD

Lisa McGlaun said...

JD,

I'll trust you about being right. The more positive thoughts floating around out there the better I feel about my prospects.

Thanks for you support!

Hugs,
Lisa

Michael J. Kannengieser said...

Hi Lisa,
Definitely think postive. And yes, When you do return to NYC, it would be wonderful to meet with you and your friends for a lunch in Manhattan. My wife and I try to get there often, it would lovely to meet you and wish you good luck in person. --Mike Kannengieser

P.S. I hope you are not receiving the same message twice as I has a problem with this web page loading when I hit "publish your comment" the first time. Oops.

Lisa McGlaun said...

Mike,

I'll definately do that next time I"m up that way. I'd love to meet you and include you in what I'm doing.

Peace,
Lisa