Heavenly Harp on Soho Streets

So you’ve seen street musicians before – no big deal, right? In New York, we’ve seen the Hypnotic Brass Band playing at Union square, amazing drummers playing upside down plastic buckets, guitar players singing kid’s songs in Central Park, and even the Naked Cowboy of Times square.

But when was the last time you saw a harpist set up on the street and start strumming beautiful classical music?

When you pass her you feel like you’re walking in a dream, or into the middle of a movie, where all other New Yorkers are the “extras,” and you’re the main character – floating blissfully on a set that can only be…Soho.

Random meeting turns to Japanese-American relations talk

He works for New York City in some capacity. The unrevealed office only adds to the mystery of Mr. X, who plays his cards tight to the vest. He is actually a really nice guy who has traveled and lived in Japan. Our conversation could only have turned more interesting when the cute Joey came by to offer her take on relationships from a Japanese/American perspective. It turns out that all the worrying by Mr. X about how to act “properly” over there in Japan was unnecessary. Apparently, the Japanese girls are not that much different than the girls here in America, according to Joey. They just wanna have fun.

Mr. X seemed a bit surprised by the news. (In all fairness, Mr. X said he was never really one to “just go searching for one-nighters and all that.)”

I’m not sure that was what Joey was talking about, but his reaction was curious. He is a self-proclaimed “serious relationship” guy. I think Joey sensed that and was just joshing him, if only to remind him that women (and men) in the end, are not THAT much different. Most people would like to find someone to connect with. I asked Joey if she’s married. She said yes. I then asked her what makes her marriage work.

She answered in one word: honesty.

Ok – two words: honesty and fun.

Sisters from France

They came to enjoy New York City from the South of France, and seemed to be succeeding. Despite the cold, and the economy, they were buying lots of stuff for their family and friends. They seemed to be happy in general. The secret to a successful relationship is “space,” they said. Rough translation from French to English: “Make sure you always give, and have, enough space in a relationship.” Happy New year!

Momo and the art of dating, cooking, life

Momo is one of those rare guys who has a Zen-like perspective.
He’s a professional chef for a wealthy family, and maybe that has something to do with it. “You can’t rush things if you want them to turn out” is his motto. (Apparently, it took him many, many years in the business to get that gig.) He applies that to all facets of his life, including finding a mate. When I asked him if he was actively searching as a single guy, he said: “…Well…I’m open, but I’m not stressed about it. It will happen when it’s supposed to happen.” Nice. I think most men and women would agree – if you try to force your hand, people pick up the vibe.

UNH in NYC

Alissa and her friend LIzzy came down from the great North, and chatted a bit about life at the University of New Hampshire. The blonde-haired Alissa was the more vocal one, and had quite a few comments about the lack of commitment UNH guys are showing her up there. Can you believe it?! She’s fun, cute, smart, and too young to start getting jaded about the opposite sex. I don’t know what to say, Alissa. I can only refer you to page 61 of “The Winner’s Guide to Dating.”

To reach the “final table,” you need persistence and patience.

Good luck, girl!

Michelle from Miami

Michelle says that people in Miami dress up, go out, and are open to meeting strangers and havin a good time. She meets a lot a guys down there in the Sunshine State.

In New York City, it’s a different story, apparently. According to her the guys in the “Big Apple” are “suitors.” They dress unimaginatively (in suits) and love to just hang by themselves. If they’re not in suits, they dress like they’re “from Jersey.”

Ouch. Sorry, guys…

Danes, Magic, Union Square

I took a break for a day from my Prince street perch and traveled to Union Square where I met some interesting folk. Union Square has a history of social and political activism, and this day was no exception. The Obama vendors of buttons, t-shirts, magnets, etc. were out en masse and the buyers were buying.

A nice couple from Denmark wanted my book as a souvenir, and then chatted up another author who happened by my table, magician Ben Robinson. His book, “The MagiCIAn: John Mulholland’s Secret Life,” just came out, and he was excited to talk about it. He even performed a little close-up magic for the Danish tourists, who seemed to be having one of those days on a vacation where everything seemed like a pleasant fantasy, where you stroll from one foreign-looking neighborhood to the next and take it all in… slowly and deliberately.

Match made online

They knew each other a long time ago – then fell out of touch.

They found each other online, caught up, met up, hooked up, and the rest is history…

Map of Ireland on his face

I only talked to Don briefly, but you could tell by his quick wit and friendly attitude that he was a guy that women liked to hang out with. Ah… the luck of the Irish. The accent almost always scores points in New York City, according to a poll I’ve taken on Prince street. When I asked Don if he was married, I noticed the fleeting disappointment come over a couple of young eavesdroppers’ faces as he answered, “yes.”

Don’t fret it, girls. If he’s your type, there are plenty of single Irish guys coming over to visit all the time, and if you play your cards right, they may even invite you back to the land of the leprechaun for a real vacation (and a real Guinness.)

Don’t Yell at Isabel

Isabel and her dog, Ella, are not THAT serious about finding a guy – at least not right now. In fact, when I talked to her, I felt like I was talking to a guy! And I don’t mean that in a negative way…or a physical way! Clearly, she is a head turner (as is her roommate, who was never in the Navy, by the way), and is easy going and fun to talk to. What caught me off guard was when I asked her what her status was. Hooked up? Broken up? Single white female in NYC?

She said she was dating this guy but they BOTH knew they weren’t right for each other.

Mmmm.

You might think… well then why continue seeing each other?

She’s got her reasons she sad, but didn’t come right out and tell me.

So I was left guessing.

Convenience? Good sex? Fear of commitment? Laziness? Secrecy? Apathy? Unconventionality?

Whatever! You play your hand the way you wanna play it, girl!

Whatever works for you… and Ella.