Pauly From the Block

So I have now lived in New York City for 6 months.  It still feels weird to say that sometimes, like I forget that I finally did it.  There have definitely been periods of trial-by-fire, but I am learning that this is common for the first year experience.  Even with all the struggles and hardships I've faced, I have been blessed with plenty of help along the way.  I've been learning and growing so much that it's hard to describe at this point.  One major thing I've learned is how to adapt, and my definition of "home" has changed.  I've been at my new place two days and I already feel right at home, happy to have a bed, furnished room, privacy, big windows, and plenty of sunshine.  I've got the incense going and am about to do some sun salutations.

By the way, I'm living in the Bronx for at least the next four months. That's right, Pauly From the Block, Uptown Doodie Brown comin' to ya live from the BX!  Here's my address in case you need to mail anything (contact me for packages, using my work address for those):

Paul Petrosky

2635 Sedgwick Ave #4A

Bronx, NY 10468

It's been a crazy ride these past 6 months, and feels like it's been a lot longer.  I'm excited to see what comes next, and I'm finally ready for visitors--come stay with me!

Black Dove

Hello everyone.  This year I am experiencing winter in a whole new way. I'm actually getting to feel the season creep in and take hold.  I'll see real snow for the first time and face a long winter.  Therefore, you're being treated to two winter mixes this year, the second to arrive sometime in January.

But for now, draw up a blanket, light a candle, and listen closely.  It is always darkest before the dawn, and as the year draws to a close, it is a dark night, indeed.  We come together for comfort and joy, but the cold finds its way in...something wicked this way comes!

*A note for iPod/iPhone users:  once downloaded, be sure to put this mix into a playlist before syncing.  Otherwise the files tend to get separated...

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Holidaze

Here we are, the day after Thanksgiving, and I made it!  The past week or so has been a battle between myself and the infamous Holiday Blues.  Most years it's not that big a deal, but after a recent love life stumble, I knew I had three days off with no solid plans, and it's my first Thanksgiving away from my family, so I was worried.  But as I learn time and again, the universe steps in and provides. Wednesday I enjoyed a much-needed personal day in my PJs and finished the upcoming winter mix. Met up with friends in Astoria at our regular haunt Sissy McGinty's and had a rollicking good Thanksgiving eve, complete with New Kids on the Block and 90s house music.  Yesterday we got a late start, but it was fun to have a leisurely grocery store experience on turkey day.  Cooking whilst drinking framboise lambic and watching AbFab was half the fun, sweetie dahling.  It finally felt like the holidays, complete with stuffing ourselves and passing out midway through Harry Potter 2.  Today will involve some transferring of old videos before a tree trimming party at a friend's.

Next week will see some milestones for me.  I will have been in NYC for six months, and I finally found a furnished sublet for the winter.  Movin' to the Bronx, but don't be fooled by the rocks that I got!  I'm looking forward to the hibernation and creative period, because I have several projects in the works.  The biggest change I've noticed since coming here is that I'm finally doing things I've talked about doing for years.  For some reason I feel motivated here to make those things happen.  I've wanted to practice yoga regularly for a long time...done.  Need a laptop...done.  Digitize old videos for editing...done.  And of course these things come from unexpected resources, for which I am so grateful.  I have constant reminders to remain open to the myriad of possibilities and paths the universe offers, and it's made for an incredible journey so far.  And, of course, I intend to remain thankful for every day.  Blessed be!

One

Two

Three

10 31 10

Glitter & Alchemy

Stone of amethyst

twinkle of night

smoke of the embers

fires burn bright

A shimmering dark

and magickal brew

as leaves do fall

so too will you

Say it thrice

cast the circle round

the wheel does turn

the spell is bound

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The Lighter Side of...!

A Lesson in Gratitude

  I just came home from work to my own room for the first time in 3 months.  A temporary room that is, but it's my own space for the month, a place where I can shut the door and be alone, take a nap, read, or just...be.  I've adapted to the nomadic life, but my brain has been feeling quite crowded lately in the city that never sleeps.


I'm not gonna lie.  Shit has been hard lately.  I'm in a little bit of survival mode, and I'm being tested for sure.  I've been stocking full-time at this local dinnerware retailer while hunting for bigger and better jobs.  Even though I've adjusted to it, the work itself is pretty draining, lifting heavy boxes and plates and running up and down stairs all day long, plus a bit of micromanaging just for fun.  Until recently I was hanging onto my part-time coffee shop job by doing doubles on one of my days off.  So 53 hours a week, lots of physical work, and one day off, to set the scene. Last week, I managed to get laid off from the cafe, lost my wallet on the subway, lost my iPhone in a cab, and was notified that I didn't get the NYU job I'd been waiting two weeks to hear about.  I had my fair share of tears, harsh words, and restraining myself from walking out the door of a job I couldn't stand.


And yet, here I am.  I'm alive and healthy and growing stronger by the minute.  Amazingly enough, all of this hardship led to some pretty intense spiritual encounters, and I found myself, maybe for the first time in my life, truly understanding and feeling with every fiber of my being what it means to be grateful for what I do have.  Staying here and leaving Austin for a bit was a complete leap of faith for me, but as I've remained as open as possible, people and situations come together to aid me.  I have THE most amazing family and friends, both in Austin and NYC, without whom this experience would never have been possible.  On the day when things seemed the worst and I wasn't sure how much more I could take, I ended up crying happy tears in the bathroom at work, thanking the universe for the opportunity to experience all of this and to have so much love and support surrounding me.  I've never felt anything like that before, but I know it opened up a window in my spirit, and it's been easier to keep my chin up since then.


My sister thinks this string of obstacles is a sign I should return home.  I am coming back to Austin, but the experience is not complete.  I'm cookie dough, still baking in the oven.  As hard as it's been at times, I know in my heart that everything happening here is benefiting me.  These three months have felt like six, and already I feel myself changing into the person I've long known I'm supposed to be.  I'm gaining a whole new perspective on what's important in my life, and I can't wait to see my home through new eyes.  


To quote (yet again) Eat Pray Love,


"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives.  In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, as long as we have voices."


A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone, you know who you are.

Burn This Mother Out!

Hey! Summer ain't over yet, sitch yo ass back down. I've been slaving away through these dog days, but you can't keep a good mix down. This is my first mix conceived and produced in New York City. And it's taking all the restraint I have to keep from busting out dancing on the subway right now.  Fall is on the horizon, but first let these ladies get you wet with sweat.  Before ya cool it down, we got ta burn it up!

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As an added bonus, here's a little chestnut from a while back.  I had planned a second volume for this summer, but alas I remained in NYC and am missing out on the sweltering, back porch summer experience.  And believe me, I do miss it.  So this one goes out to all those folks back home.  Catch some lightning bugs, drink whisky out of mason jars, and raise a glass to the glory of summer.  I am a country boy at heart, so I'll be back before you know it!

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